Changes to make it easier and safer for residents to walk and cycle have been given the go ahead. They form part of our ambition for Essex to become safer, greener and healthier. Improvements will be made to infrastructure in five parts of Essex. This includes the creation of new segregated cycleways, Schools Streets, Liveable Neighbourhoods and much more.

The schemes – in Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester and Wickford – will go ahead following a consultation with residents and businesses. The results of the consultation showed more than 90% of people were worried about traffic, pollution and safety in their area. Residents’ highest priority was action to tackle speeding followed by a desire for less traffic and for children to be able to play, walk and cycle in their neighbourhood.

Cllr Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council said: “I am delighted to see these new initiatives which will make it easier for more people to walk and cycle, especially for shorter journeys. We are confident that our recent active travel consultation has given us a clearer picture of how we can deliver safer, greener and healthier benefits in Essex, reducing traffic congestion, cutting air pollution and improving road safety in the county. This will ultimately benefit everybody as well as the environment, not just now but for future generations.”

Last year the council was awarded £7,358,700 from the Department for Transport, the highest allocation of any county in England, to further develop safer, greener and healthier travel and transport locally.

Pic-Essex CC