A public consultation has been launched about proposals to expand the existing Chelmer Valley Park and Ride site.

The 500-space expansion, which is planned as part of Essex County Council’s Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package, is needed to help accommodate a forecast increase in Park and Ride demand in the future.

Passenger numbers are increasing again following the COVID-19 pandemic and there is significant growth planned, including in the north Chelmsford area and the Braintree district.

Therefore, it was always anticipated Chelmer Valley Park and Ride would need expansion in the future and land for the expansion was safeguarded in the Chelmsford Local Plan.

In March last year, when Essex County Council decided not to take forward proposals for a new Park and Ride site in Widford as part of the Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package, it provided an opportunity to fund the Chelmer Valley Park and Ride expansion.