Braintree is set for a double boost if a new swimming pool is given the go-ahead next week.

While the facility will offer a multi-million pound boost to leisure in the area, it will also bring a smile to rail commuters who make the daily dash from Braintree to London.

The long-awaited project, being carried out by Freeport Leisure in partnership with the district council, is likely to include additional car parking for hard-pressed rail commuters to encourage more use of the nearby Braintree-Witham branch line and Freeport Station.

The new pool is expected to have 250 car parking spaces, but the agreement will require not less than 128 spaces to be used for commuter parking only between Monday and Friday.

The extra parking could then be used at the weekend by those visiting the shopping centre and leisure facilities.

A report to councillors has recommended approval for the scheme.

David Bigg, chairman of the Witham and Braintree Rail Passenger Association, welcomed the news.

He said: "It will be a great help. Pressure will come off Braintree, where there is quite a lot of off-street parking already, but it won't help the situation in Witham, where parking problems are critical."

A green travel plan is also likely to be drawn up as part of the pool scheme, with a travel co-ordinator encouraging car sharing and the use of the hoppa bus link to the town.

A cycleway link will also be constructed.

Published Friday, January 10, 2003

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