COLCHESTER’S MP has demanded action is taken to keep the town moving amid fears it is grinding to a halt as more homes are built.

Will Quince was speaking during a meeting in Parliament about infrastructure in Essex.

He said: “Colchester is not only Britain’s oldest recorded town but it also the fastest growing town in the country.

“We have had tens of thousands of homes built without the adequate infrastructure to support it and anybody who has visited Colchester at peak times in particular will see that there is considerable congestion and regular gridlock.

Chelmsford Weekly News:

“Now Essex County Council, the leadership of the council and Kevin Bentley are doing their best and there are some significant schemes underway in Colchester but anybody in Colchester will tell you it is not enough.

“We do need to secure funding for further investment from the Government in order to keep our town moving.”

Mr Quince repeated his calls for creating a new junction on the A12 at Lexden and asked for Government talks over the issue.

He said: “Colchester does have considerable potential. We have unbelievable links due to our location but to unlock our town’s business and economic growth potential we have to ensure our town does not regularly grind to a halt, as sadly it does at the moment."

Witham MP Priti Patel has also added her voice to calls to improve Essex infrastructure.

Ms Patel and the Essex Chambers of Commerce hosted a meeting in Parliament so businesses could meet Housing Minister Kit Malthouse.

Denise Rossiter, chief executive of the Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: “Much of the discussion focused on housing needs.

"It also impacts on our road networks and this meeting provided an opportunity to get the message across to the Government that businesses want to see more joined up thinking in the provision of both.”