Taxpayers in Essex face a £200,000-a-year bill to help get a proper park-and-ride scheme off the ground in Colchester.

Getting a scheme set up in Colchester has been a key aim of town planners for years.

Now comprehensive plans have been drawn up - and it could be open in just two years.

If built, the new scheme will operate out of the planned community stadium in Cuckoo Farm.

But funding, worth about £200,000, might need to be drawn on from Essex County Council to help the project get up-and-running.

Andrew Budd, transportation manager at Colchester Council, said it would have 667 spaces with extra parking nearby.

Mr Budd said the park-and-ride scheme would cater for up to 1,000 people on Saturdays, which is when the town is at its busiest with football matches and shopping.

The building of the park-and-ride and community stadium depends on the finish date of work to join the A12 with the new Northern Approach.

Pressure is now being put on the Highways Agency, which is responsible for those works, to speed things up.

Mr Budd said as things currently stand with the Highways Agency, it will take three years to deliver.

Published Wednesday, June 18, 2003

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