Lets hope it includes a Bishops Strortford- Eaton Park_ Braintree link
DETAILED plans for a new rapid transit system linking three new garden communities in north Essex have been revealed.
Part of proposals, by Colchester, Tendring, Braintree and Essex councils, to build 43,000 homes over the next 40 or 50 years, the system is designed to reduce congestion and provide quick and easy access in and out of Braintree and Colchester from the new towns.
The system, which could cost between £230m and £325m, will start off as a bus service with segregated lanes and priority over other traffic to increase its reliability.
Travellers from across the network will be able to use the system to access town centres and the councils have promised prices will be affordable.
Over time the authorities say the network will develop into an east to west public transport corridor running across north Essex.
The dedicated lanes could eventually be adapted to the reflect the latest ways of transport like trackless trams.
An example of a trackless tram
As well as linking the garden communities at the Tendring Colchester border, West Tey and west of Braintree, the system could also travel to Stansted.
Mark Cory, leader of Colchester Council, said garden communities needed infrastructure first to be successful.
“It would be a failure if e simply add thousands of new cars to our already stretched roads,” he said.
“This is why the rapid transit system is so important and why we are setting out a strong case for how it could operate from the first few homes. As we are starting from scratch we have the opportunity to design the new communities in such a way it supports a rapid transit link and encourage people to use it, as well as boosting, walking and cycling, instead of their cars.”
Neil Stock, leader of Tendring Council, added: “The Garden Community concept goes far beyond the provision of housing.
“It is about how we create connected communities ensuring that homes, jobs, and infrastructure and social infrastructure are all delivered.
“Transport systems are evolving incredible quickly, and gone are the days where uncomfortable, noisy diesel fuelled buses are the solution.
“While the early stages of the Rapid Transit may be bus-based, we should be clear now that we will have ambitious, new modes of transport when the system is fully operational.”
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions 