AN engineer has drawn up a proposal for a new tramway to tackle transport issues.

James Melody, from Maldon, designed a seven-stop tram system which would make use of the old railway route between Maldon and South Woodham Ferrers.

As an overhead line engineer, James has worked for several companies including Thames Rail and Crossrail and now works as an independent consultant.

Using his 20 years of knowledge, he started thinking about a solution to the problem of traffic affecting areas such as Maldon and Danbury.

While walking his dog along the old line, he saw the potential to revive the route to be used for a more modern purpose.

Mr Melody, 45, said: “As a now long-term resident of Maldon, one cannot be blind to the impending issues Maldon has, and will continue to have, with commuting to and from the town.

“To this end, I have [designed] what is a basic proposal for a modern tramway between Maldon and South Woodham Ferrers following most of the route of the railway closed in 1953.

“This would allow people living in Maldon to access train services to London, Colchester and Southend.”

James believes the benefits of the system would be a vast reduction in traffic flow, and increase in tourism, easy access to towns, connectivity to the more rural parts of the district and boosting the attractiveness of Maldon as a place to live.

He also proposed the system could be hydrogen-powered or even powered by new technology such as induction batteries.

He added: “I have been mulling it over for a long time, to be honest. I had a look at the old maps and saw we were well catered for in the past.

“It may seem like pie in the sky when you say it to some people, but there’s a lot to be said of a timetable system which runs all day.

“I’m sure this has been looked into by other people, but I thought I would say something.

“It will either be something or nothing and I fully expect to be shot down in flames.

“But the way it’s going, Maldon will be gridlocked in five years.

“They laughed when they reintroduced trams in Manchester and Sheffield.

“I think the councils should be thinking a little bigger. It needs to just be suck it and see.”

Mr Melody also said cost, timescales and objections were all things to consider.