Encouraging more businesses to let employees work from home could be a way of cutting congestion in a north Essex town, it has been suggested.

Colchester councillor Mark Cable would like to see employers in the town let their staff work remotely at least once a week as a way of improving their work-life balance and getting cars off the road.

His comments follow a meeting of the borough council’s policy review and development panel earlier this week, which looked into transportation trends in the area. Among the statistics presented to the panel was the finding that over 10% of people in Colchester now work mainly at home.

Mr Cable said: “Trying to find a solution to traffic congestion in Colchester can seem daunting but allowing people to work from home one day a week is one easy way of reducing the number of cars in town.

“I’d like to investigate whether the council can do more to encourage businesses to give home working a trial.

“Not only can it help reduce congestion, it is also a benefit for employees. It’s a win-win for everyone.”