Town stifled by transport network

4:34pm Monday 7th April 2008

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Colchester is being "stifled" because its transport network does not encourage easy movement, it has been claimed.

Colchester Chamber of Commerce said the town needs "integrated transport" to allow business customers and visitors to move about more easily.

The consequences would mean a negative impact on the town's businesses, said Ian Ferguson, the chamber's policy manager.

Mr Ferguson said: "Some businesses are talking about leaving the town because of the traffic problems and we don't want that. We need to create so many jobs by 2021 that we need businesses to be coming in, not leaving.

"We need integrated transport, such as park-and-ride. Saying that, whether we like it or not, cars are the preferred choice of transport for many and that has to be accommodated."

Mr Ferguson said that the chamber wanted to help businesses make their voices heard.

With 2,000 members in Essex, and 400 in Colchester, the chamber regularly meets with Colchester and Essex councils as well as regional development agencies and at national level, Government ministers.