HIGHWAYS bosses hope Christmas traffic will be eased in Colchester after announcing no roadworks will take place over the festive season.

The first phase of work to improve access from Colchester’s Park and Ride - due to open in the spring - has also been completed on time.

The second phase will begin next month and work is expected to last until March.

It will focus on creating a bus lane under the railway bridge, in Station Way.

Rodney Bass, Essex County Council cabinet member for highways, said: “We want to make it easier for everyone who needs to visit family and friends at Christmas, so suspending work on our countywide road improvement projects over the festive period is the best way to help the county’s road users.

“It also makes sure our teams and crews have a well-earned rest before resuming the robust programme in the New Year.”

An Essex Highways team will be on duty all over Christmas to respond to emergencies.