As shown on the official website last week, work on the new road that will open up access to new employment areas in North Colchester and the Colchester Community Stadium is now underway.

As a result, George Kieffer deputy chair of the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) paid a visit to the area to see the extent of the progress.

EEDA has put £1 million towards the community stadium project which will directly create 60 jobs on-site, of which 40 would be additional to the 20 jobs at the existing stadium.

A further 45 to 60 additional jobs in the local economy should result.

Importantly the stadium will act as a catalyst for regeneration and development of employment land, and up to 3,500 new jobs on the adjoining land site alongside the building of a new community of 1,500 homes.

George Kieffer told CU-FC.com: "The Colchester Community Stadium is a good example of how EEDA and our partners are taking a holistic approach to helping to plan 'places for people' where we think they will be needed in the future.

"This includes consulting with residents and businesses so we know what businesses and communities need to grow.

"It also means working with the private and public sectors to encourage business growth - such as the Incubation Unit on the business park - and to provide jobs and homes.

"But this philosophy also means places where people can spend their leisure time, such as the firstsite:newsite visual arts centre which we are supporting financially with our partners such as the Arts Council and the borough and County Council.

"We are heavily involved in the regeneration of Colchester and the surrounding area to help drive forward the creation of the thousands of jobs that will be needed over the next fifteen years to support major growth.

"It is one of the Government's designated 'Growth Points', a bid which we supported and continue to support because we see the potential of the town."

As part of a land deal with Colchester Borough Council London-based developers Easter Group are developing 195,000 sq ft of small to medium-sized high quality industrial units and a further section of road which will continue the road outside the new Flakt Woods building to the new Community Stadium.

Cllr Brian Jarvis, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, said: "I am delighted at the progress we are able to show George Kieffer here in North Colchester.

"Without the support of EEDA, who awarded us a grant of £1 million to deliver the Colchester Community Stadium and our other partners this development would not have been possible.

"Given the strong partnership that has been forged it was encouraging to learn that EEDA would look to back our efforts to get the A12 junction delivered as soon as possible."

Easter Director James Dipple said: "Timing of the development is ideal as there is a real strategic fit with all of the regeneration which is taking place in Colchester.

"We are delighted to be part of the ongoing development of the region by providing much needed new industrial units to the business community in this part of Essex.

"Building work on the £20 million scheme begins soon with the first phase due for completion in June 2008."