Relief is in sight for the thousands of users of Chelmsford's Army and Navy roundabout, with news of a £360,000 package to cut congestion.

Essex County Council's highways and transportation committee has approved schemes for full-time traffic lights at all five approaches to the roundabout, further traffic lights -- possibly peak only -- on the western approach to the Odeon roundabout along Parkway, resigning, and rerouting of the A414 along the Chelmsford bypass.

Highways and transportation committee chairman Ray Howard said that the scheme was planned to go ahead in the financial year starting in April, and it was hoped to do it sooner rather than later.

The scheme is part of the ongoing "Chelmsford Package", which hopes to encourage less dependence on the motor car, and contains incentives to bus and cycle travel.

An Automobile Association spokeswoman said: "It will hopefully reduce congestion, speed up traffic flow, and make journeys through that roundabout a lot more pleasant for motorists in Essex."

Conservative Party chairman Michael Ancram was due to visit the roundabout yesterday (Thursday). The Conservative-run Essex County Council is funding road projects to the tune of £1.4 million.

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