TRAMS or buses could be weaving their way through leafy Lexden and Shrub End if plans to set up a rapid transport system through Colchester are approved.

Part of proposals by Colchester, Tendring, Braintree and Essex councils to build 43,000 homes over the next 50 years, the system is designed to reduce congestion and provide quick access in and out of Braintree and Colchester.

Documents provide details on the vision, which also include an option to make Colchester High Street two-way.

The four routes are:

There is an option for a new dedicated alignment alongside the A133, then via West Lodge, Nesfield Road and Capon Road to serve the Knowledge Gateway at the university.

There are another three options for getting from the university to the town centre via Greenstead Road, East Street and East Hill; Clingoe Hill, St Andrew’s Avenue, Ipswich Road and East Street; and via Hythe Hill, Barrack Street and Magdalen Street.

The report also suggests having a two-way high street if the route is restricted. This means access to the route is restricted to the rapid transport system and improving the public realm to give priority to walking and cycling.

With the highest investment option, it could take 27 minutes to get from end to end at morning peak time.

  •  Route 2 would connect West Tey with Marks Tey, Stanway and Colchester town centre. Connections can be made to the destinations on Route 1. There are two options for this route - a northern range of options includes an envelope between the A133 (Cymbeline Way) and A12 and Tyburn Hill/London Road through Lexden and Beacon End; a southern range of options includes Shrub End Road through Shrub End, continuing to the garden community via Marks Tey or into Copford Green.

With the highest investment option it could take 23 minutes from end to end at morning peak time.

  •  Route 3 would connect the west of Braintree garden community eastward to Braintree and continue westwards to Stansted and the planned new development at Easton Park.
  •  Route 4 would link the Colchester/Braintree border garden community with Braintree, connecting routes 2 and 3 and providing a through link between Colchester and Stansted.

The possible options are using the A12 and then following the proposed A120 heading south past Cressing and Silver End, and rejoining the A12 just west of Kelvedon, or following the old A120 route. It could take 33 minutes from end to end at morning peak time.

The project could cost up to £323million to complete if it gets the go-ahead.

The total revenue across all routes is estimated to be about £28.8million by 2051.

The idea is for the scheme to be delivered using bus rapid transit technology which could be upgraded to trackless trams in the future.

After 2033, the report says driverless rapid transport vehicles are a possibility.

The aim is to make journey times faster than by car between key destinations with a frequent all-day service every eight minutes.

The scheme, if allowed, will be funded through the Housing Infrastructure Fund and Section 106 developer contributions.

The rapid transit system is envisaged to have its own alignment separate from other traffic but with provision for walking and cycling alongside it.

The report said: “By the end of the local plan period in 2033 it is expected Routes 1, 2 and 3 will be in place.

“Post 2033, the intention is to extend the level of segregation on Routes 1 to 3 and introduce Route 4, which connects the two sub-systems.

“The proposals are considered highly achievable and highly likely to meet the objectives for garden communities in north Essex.”

North Essex Garden Communities Limited, the firm working on the plans, has worked with transport consultants Jacobs and provider Go-Ahead Group.

However, agreement for the garden communities has yet to be given with opponents saying the schemes would destroy the north Essex countryside.

Visit braintree.gov.uk/localplanevidence.