PARK and Ride shuttle services and flexible working hours could be used to tackle congestion at a busy business park, transport bosses have said.

Colchester Council transport boss Martin Goss wants to see businesses do more to help tackle traffic and parking problems on Severalls Industrial Estate in Colchester.

He is calling for firms to allow employees to work flexible hours from the office or home in a bid to cut the number of cars using the estate, particularly at peak hours.

Mr Goss said: “We need to look at what we’ve got and make it easier for people not to drive.

“We need to change. We aren’t going to get a new road, but there are other things we can do.

“It is about modal shift and some of that happens through staff but it won’t happen unless employers become involved. Employers need to be offering staff more freedom.”

Mr Goss has written to Essex County Council infrastructure boss Kevin Bentley, who says the council is trying to help tackle the issue.

He said County Hall is working with Colchester Council to draw up a strategic vision for Colchester, including sustainable transport, which is set to go out to consultation in the next few months.

“Some businesses at the Business Park have begun the process to form a North Colchester Business Improvement District in order to begin proactively tackling problems including traffic and congestion,” Mr Bentley said.

“Colchester Travel Plan Club (CTPC) is supporting them in this process through advising on active and sustainable travel best practises and promotions.

“Some businesses on the business park are already members of CTPC and so are already receiving benefits of membership.

“CTPC and our Sustainable Travel Plan Team are keen to see businesses on Severalls proactively encouraging behaviour change in their staff towards active and sustainable transport in order to tackle the traffic issues, and building more roads is not a sustainable solution.

“With this in mind, we would be happy to introduce a shuttle service from the Park and Ride if there is sufficient interest and funding.

“CTPC and our Sustainable Travel Plan Team are of course always keen to welcome new members into the travel plan club and will be happy to speak to any businesses on the park that may wish to join.”