Motorists and passengers in Colchester are set to benefit from £34 million to be pumped into the county's road and transport network.

The majority of the money, announced by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, is to be divided up for programmes of work including putting in bus lanes and bus shelters, improving roads and strengthening bridges.

Chris Arnold, of the Colchester transport policy panel, said bids had been put in for cash for an extension of the electronic traffic management system in the town and a scheme to strengthen the Colne Bank bridge so an extra lane can be put in for Colne Bank Avenue.

"We have negotiations going on at the moment as to what we would want to spend the money on," he said. "We will probably find out what we will get in February."

He stressed the cash was not a grant but permission from the Government for the council to borrow money which would have to be paid for through council tax.

In announcing the boost, Mr Prescott said: "It is money to be spent on local priorities. That's why we've given local authorities the money to put their plans into action.

"But there must be a proper balance between spending on roads and spending on public transport. There has to be an integrated approach to improving public transport, making a real difference to everyone, however they travel and wherever they live."

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