PUBLIC transport is vital in preventing Colchester from grinding to a halt, councillors have said.

Essex County Council and Colchester Council representatives met to discuss schemes to tackle congestion for the next 30 years.

Among the top-of-the-agenda items were improving Cowdray Avenue and Queen Street as well as tackling constant congestion around North Station.

There are also plans to remodelling the Warren Lane junction with Maldon Road, in Stanway.

Paul Smith, leader of Colchester Council, said the councils wanted to encourage businesses at the Turner Rise Retail Park to promote the Park and Ride Scheme.

He said: “Tunnelling and flyovers at the North Station Roundabout are not an option.

“We discussed working with the retail park as retailers could give discounts on Park and Ride tickets. If a commuter spent £50 in their store, they could get money off their ticket, it could stop people using the car park there.”

Detailed plans on what measures will be taken will be unveiled next month.

Another junction high on the agenda is Warren Lane in Stanway. Mr Smith said: “It’s in desperate need of attention. The us - age is far more than what it was ever intended for and that junction will be a high priority.

“Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of Essex County Council, wants to completely redo the junction, whether it would be a roundabout or traffic lights.

“I’m not sure. It could maybe include working with the zoo as well.”

A controversial £10 million scheme to change the roundabouts at the junction of Ipswich Road and Cowdray Avenue has already come to light.

There were talks of replacing the roundabouts with one big roundabout, with three lanes.

Mr Smith said it would need a serious consultation. “We are concerned, for example, we have cycle routes there and trying to navigate a roundabout with three lanes is a challenging proposition.

“It might speed up traffic but if it means more traffic queuing in Ipswich Road trying to get across.

Will there be a benefit for the people of Colchester?”