HALSTEAD will see its town centre and infrastructure improved as part of a bold £28million investment plan.

Braintree Council’s cabinet is to agree its District Investment Strategy at a meeting on Monday, which would see the authority invest in areas which are not usually its responsibility.

They include healthcare, usually the preserve of the NHS, and roads, the responsibility of Essex County Council. Leader Graham Butland said: “I want to use our financial position which comes as a result of prudent financial management to tackle some of the issues affecting our residents.”

Aside from a pledge to invest £3 million in Witham’s health services, concrete details are still to be drawn up. Anne-Maree Robertson, member of the Chamber of Trade, said congestion-busting schemes would help enormously.

She said: “Halstead is a crossroads town, particularly with Sudbury Road in the High Street.

“North of the town can get gridlocked right down to the High Street because of the amount of traffic coming through at peak times.

“There is local traffic and then there is through traffic, and something needs to be done to the through traffic to reduce the gridlock.”

Jackie Pell, chair of the League of Friends at Halstead Hospital, said busy GP surgeries need help.

She said: “The surgery is getting a bit overloaded these days and it is hard to get appointments.

“We have Halstead Hospital and the rehab unit and there is always room for improvement and more services. As the League of Friends we are always striving to get more services up there.”

Employment is also on the agenda as the council plans to fund support for business growth through business start-up and grow-on facilities.

Claire Buskin, owner of The Little Book Cafe in Hedingham Road, said: “I always think that smaller, independent businesses are the best way forward for an area like Halstead.

“I would encourage more start up centres and making sure business rates are not too high.”