News releases and highways newsletters

Essex declares a Pothole Emergency as new Leader sets out priorities

New administration to launch pothole action plan to tackle residents’ top priority.

The new Leader of Essex County Council has declared a Pothole Emergency, setting out urgent action to improve the county’s roads as a top priority for the new administration.

At the council’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) today (Thursday 28 May), Councillor Peter Harris - speaking as his first act following confirmation as Leader - outlined the new administration’s immediate priorities, with road conditions placed firmly at the top of the agenda in response to resident feedback.

New and improved road surface for Harlow residents

Improvements are being carried out across the county, including Little Pynchons in Harlow.

Machine surfacing works took place this week on Little Pynchons in Harlow, as part of works being carried out during the spring and summer to improve road surfaces.

Working through heatwave conditions, Essex Highways crews removed the existing surface to replace it with a new, improved and safer road surface.

Resurfacing fixes the damage caused by bad weather. It also gives roads a longer life than if individual pothole repairs are made.

Ashingdon Road improvements in Rochford using Recofoam

Resurfacing works on Ashingdon Road, Rochford, began on 19 May using a new material called Recofoam.

RTS Bus shelter removal

Our supplier recently discovered an issue with seven bus shelters that were installed as part of the Colchester Rapid Transport System. As a precautionary measure, these shelters have been removed while an investigation is undertaken.

2026 resurfacing works begin across Essex

Warmer and drier weather means large scale improvements can be made to Essex’s roads.

Essex County Council has launched its 2026/27 resurfacing programme. This will see large scale improvements to many roads across the county.

Resurfacing fixes the damage caused by bad weather. It also gives roads a longer life than if we make individual pothole repairs.

Upcoming resurfacing works include the below.

• Ashingdon Road, Rochford.
• A13 from Pitsea to Five Bells, Vange.
• A132 Burnham Road, Rettendon.

During 2025/26 325 large-scale resurfacing works took place as a part of the annual surfacing programme.

Bakers Lane / Cottis Lane, Epping – latest news

From 3 May 2026, phase two carriageway and footway works will pause to allow essential utility works to take place within the carriageway.

RTS A133 Clingoe Hill update

Following completion of works on the A133 Clingoe Hill section of the new Colchester Rapid Transit System, we have been working to apply a ‘Traffic Regulation Order’ on the new bus lane.

A Traffic Regulation Order is a legal order required to restrict general traffic from using the lane. This is important, as to operate as intended, i.e. to ensure buses can avoid congestion on Clingoe Hill and provide passengers with improved journey times, the lane needs to be restricted to only permit bus services.

This has been completed and the bus lane is now fully operational for use by existing bus services from Monday 27th April 2026. Read full story

East Hill walking and cycling upgrade to get underway

Works to improve walking and cycling on East Hill in Colchester are set to get underway in the coming weeks.

The East Hill scheme forms part of the successful Colchester City Council led Town Deal funding bid. Providing improved walking and cycling infrastructure, the works are the first element of a wider route linking the city centre with Greenstead, the University of Essex and, ultimately, the new Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community.

Last chance to have your say on plans to reduce road deaths

Road deaths in Essex were at their highest in almost a decade last year, with 60 people losing their lives

Residents are being reminded to have their say on a new strategy aimed at reducing road deaths and serious injuries across Essex.

More than 2,000 people have already responded to the public consultation on the draft Essex Safer Speeds Strategy.

In 2025, 60 people lost their lives on Essex roads – the highest figure since 2016. Almost half of the deaths were related to speed. Hundreds more people were seriously injured.

Essex County Council has developed the new draft strategy in partnership with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP), which includes Essex Police.

Fresh look at Army and Navy improvements as £81 million project continues to progress

Walking, cycling, bus and Park and Ride improvements will encourage safer, greener and healthier travel

A new video has been shared on plans to transform the Army and Navy junction in Chelmsford.

Essex County Council has developed the planned £81 million Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package. It includes a hamburger roundabout at the city’s Army and Navy junction.

This is a new roundabout with a road through the centre of it, which has been designed to improve traffic flows and reduce congestion at this busy junction.

There will be bus priority lanes, along with walking and cycling improvements at the junction, as well as on the approaches to the junction.