Work to completely transform the Army and Navy roundabout in Chelmsford is facing a construction delay. The £81 million project has been in the pipeline for several years and would see the infamous junction completely changed. says Essex Live.

Senior transport officials in Essex want to see the existing five-arm roundabout converted into a ‘hamburger’ roundabout with a road through the centre of it. The scheme had also included plans to upgrade the Park and Ride site at Sandon. Proposals to expand the Chelmer Valley Park and Ride site had been an element but that was withdrawn earlier this year.

Initial plans had seen hopes that construction would start in 2027 with a potential completion date of 2029. Next week councillors are due to discuss the ‘Essex Transport Strategy’ which now proposes a construction timeline beginning in 2028 and completion by 2031. EssexLive understands the changes to the timetable were due to delays in acquiring land needed for the project.

The major roundabout connects the city centre with Moulsham, Great Baddow, Chelmer Village and Essex Yeomanry Way for drivers looking to reach the A12 or south Essex. Traffic experts estimate up to 70,000 vehicles used the junction before the pandemic and fear the situation could get worse in the future without taking action.

The new roundabout would have a road through the centre of it. The roundabout will predominantly have three lanes around the circulatory, while there will be two lanes in each direction on the road through the middle of central island between Parkway and Essex Yeomanry Way.

(Picture: Essex County Council)