News releases and highways newsletters

Reporting of faulty streetlights made quicker and easier in Harlow

A pilot project in Harlow that aims to make reporting faulty streetlights quicker and easier has now launched.

Following engagement with residents by Essex County Council’s (ECC) Safety Advisory Group (SAG), concerns were raised, by women in particular, about faulty streetlights and how this contributed to making them feel unsafe.

In response, the SAG, in partnership with Essex Highways and Harlow Council have adapted the current reporting web tool for ECC owned streetlights to now include those owned by Harlow Council too. In Harlow there are around 10,300 public streetlights with Harlow Council owning around 10 per cent.

This means that residents in Harlow will now be able to easily see who owns the light they are reporting. It is hoped that this will make reporting a fault quicker and easier.

M11 Junction 7a overnight closure to complete electrical works

A series of overnight closures will be in place on the M11 Junction 7a in the coming weeks.

The closure of the junction slip roads to traffic is required in order to complete electrical installation works on the new junction. This work will not directly impact the running of the M11 motorway, but drivers will be unable to use the exit or entry slips at Junction 7a, or the link road at the Campions Roundabout.

Advanced enabling works set to get underway for new bypass between Chelmsford and Braintree

Bypass scheme is part of a £250 million investment that also includes a new railway station at Beaulieu.

Advanced enabling works are set to start this week on the new multi-million-pound Chelmsford North East Bypass.

The bypass scheme has been developed by Essex County Council, working with Chelmsford City Council, and is part of a £250 million investment that also includes a new railway station at Beaulieu.

Plans were granted planning approval earlier this year and will involve building a new 4.6km single carriageway road between the current Beaulieu Park development and a new roundabout on the existing A131 at Chatham Green.

Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood - School Streets virtual workshop and survey

Local residents and businesses are invited our attend our virtual workshop and to complete our online survey about the proposed changes to Sawyers Hall Lane to ease congestion.

The virtual workshop is on Wednesday 17th August 2022 between 6pm and 7pm.

The survey closes on 28th August 2022.

£100m investment bids made to Level Up Essex

Essex County Council submits £18 million bid for package of transport measures in Tendring and throws its weight behind partners’ funding bids.

Across Essex, bids to secure major funding to improve town centres, transport services and infrastructure as well as community spaces have been submitted to the Government, as part of the national Levelling Up initiative.

Levelling Up is a key priority for Essex County Council (ECC) as set out in its ‘Everyone's Essex: our plan for levelling up the county 2021 to 2025’ strategy.

As part of this, improving communities through reliable and convenient transport and improved infrastructure for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists is vital to help our residents benefit from available employment and training opportunities.

Respect our road workers

Essex Highways urges road users to take care when driving near roadworks and to be respectful to staff working to improve our roads.

Unfortunately, abuse of staff who are out working on the road network is all too common. In 2020, the number of these abuse incidents rose by 10%.

This is despite the significant reduction in traffic flow as a result of COVID restrictions.

As the school holidays get underway you may see more roadworks on the network taking place.

Traditionally traffic flows are reduced due to fewer commuters or a change in work pattern, which is an ideal opportunity to get as many repairs done as possible.

Review of Crouch Street active travel proposals announced as County Council listens to feedback

Active travel proposals for key route in Colchester to be reviewed after consultation with residents and businesses in the area.

Plans to revamp Crouch Street in Colchester aimed at improving walking and cycling provision will be reviewed after Essex County Council (ECC) listened to public feedback.

Proposals drawn up for Crouch Street would’ve seen new cycleway provision, improved public realm and crossing points, as well as a reduction in the amount of parking in the area.

The changes were drawn up under ECC’s Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign with the scheme set to be funded following the County Council’s successful £7.4 million bid to the Government’s second Active Travel Fund (ATF2).

Essex residents urged to “think outside the car this summer”

Campaign will highlight why we should all be embracing active travel and help make Essex safer, greener and healthier.

With the school holidays upon us, the sustainable transport team at Essex County Council (ECC) are urging residents to “think outside the car” this summer.

The social media campaign will feature trips and events which can easily be reached by bike, on foot or by public transport as well as highlighting all the exciting sustainable transport initiatives currently running across the county.

Cllr Lee Scott, ECC Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: “We can all help make Essex safer, greener and healthier by choosing to walk, cycle or use public transport this summer when we’re out and about - especially for those shorter journeys of under 5km. I know from personal experience how easy it is to hop into the car to nip to the shops - but if we all did just one less one-mile journey by car, that alone would save 13,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.

DigiGo group bookings now available and half price tickets for the summer

Group bookings and half price tickets on DigiGo!

You can now book a DigiGo journey for groups of up to 6 people!

To celebrate this new feature, all journey prices are 50% off until August 31st, 10pm.

Passengers can select a variety of ticket types: Adult, Young Adult, and Concessionary to allow travel for the whole group.

Book now using the TravelEssex app, available on your app store.

*Terms & Conditions– Journeys must be booked and completed by August 31st, 10pm. This discount does not require a discount code. All ticket types have been reduced by 50%. Concessionary bus pass holders ride for free after 9am on weekdays and all day on weekends, as standard. Any tickets purchased in advance for journeys after August 31st will be charged at our standard rate.

Highways Highlights - June 2022

The June 2022 edition of Highways Highlights has now been published.

The newsletter for all things highway in Essex.

In the June edition:

• Member-led pothole initiative returns
• A-void-ing danger and putting safety first at Balkerne Hill
• M11 junction 7A opens

and more...