NEW roads paving the way for thousands of jobs at a proposed business park have been given the green light.

Work to build two access roads and a spine road at Braintree’s Horizon 120 Business and Innovation Park could start as early as March.

The plans were approved at a meeting of Braintree Council’s planning committee.

The proposal includes an entrance off the Cuckoo Way roundabout and a second access point from the A131 to the south.

A central spine road between those two points is also included in the plans.

The roads and paths will be tree-lined, with green buffers and wildlife corridors.

They will also include layouts to make them safe and accessible to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

The entrance on the southern boundary will provide the park with a second access road serving heavy goods vehicles. It will also serve Gridserve’s planned electric forecourt for eco-friendly vehicles and could be used as a future bus route.

Braintree Council’s corporate transformation boss John McKee said: “I am pleased to see progress on the development of a business park which has the potential to create a huge number of quality job opportunities for local residents.

“The council bought the 65-acre site in Great Notley in December in the hope that the centre will attract new businesses to the district and create up to 2,000 jobs.

“We do not want people to have to commute outside the district for good jobs, which is why our investment into this project is so important.

“This development could really change the local employment landscape over the next few years and beyond.”

The site will offer flexible work spaces and business accommodation, amenities and facilities, and electric vehicle charging points.