Residents are being invited to take part in a survey on walking and cycling networks in Essex.

The council is asking residents their views on the development of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs). The routes will guide and inform the future direction of the council’s active travel strategy.

LCWIPs help create coherent cycling and walking networks. They will support the council to achieve its vision of a safer, greener, and healthier county.

The consultation explores routes in Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester. It will run for eight weeks until Friday 29 September.

Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: “One of the aims of the council’s Safer Greener Healthier campaign is to encourage local residents to rethink the way they travel where possible, especially for shorter journeys.

“LCWIPs are a significant step towards achieving this. By developing these cycling and walking networks, we can prioritise how to invest in our streets so that they become healthier places, are more accessible and have better air quality. They will also become safer for those who choose to walk or cycle leading to everyone having more travel independence.”

Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester are all experiencing significant growth pressures and therefore prioritising the development of good and safe walking and cycling networks is paramount.