News releases and highways newsletters

Jubilee Way and Langford Road works update

We are pleased to share that Jubilee Way, the new relief road in Heybridge, is now fully open — bringing welcome improvements to traffic flow in the area. A temporary 30mph speed limit will be in place while final works are completed.

Highways Highlights - August 2025

The August edition of Highways Highlights has now been published.

The newsletter for all things highway in Essex.

In this edition:

and more…

Station Approach road closure - Harlow Sustainable Transport Corridor

On behalf of Essex County Council, Bouygues UK Ltd are undertaking essential works on Station Approach as part of the Harlow Sustainable Transport Corridor project.

As a result of these works, a road closure will take place on Station Approach in both directions between the Burnt Mill Roundabout and the Goodman House Car Park. This closure will begin at 8pm on Saturday 11th October and remain in place until 5am on Monday 13th October 2025.

Final streetlights set to be upgraded as LED rollout nears completion

The upgrades mean more efficient, cheaper and better-quality lighting across Essex.

The ambitious programme to upgrade streetlights across Essex is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

Over the last four years, the programme has involved replacing over 130,000 streetlights with LED technology.

Most lighting units were upgraded by this time last year, with the final few hundred being worked on during 2025.

When the programme is complete, Essex County Council expects to save around £2.2 million a year. This is in energy and maintenance costs, along with reduced carbon taxes.

Major Colchester roundabout opens with new link road on schedule

Significant step made towards new garden community for Essex residents.

A major milestone has been reached in delivering the A1331 link road for residents living in and around Colchester.

The completion of a new roundabout on the A133 supports the start of works on the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community, providing seamless access into the upcoming development for residents.

Phase one of the A1331 link road is one of the first pieces of highways infrastructure to be created for the garden community and is due to be delivered next year.

Cadent Gas utility works update - St Botolph's Circus

Ahead of starting the planned major regeneration of St Botolph’s Circus, advanced works are needed to help make sure that critical utilities will not be impacted by the works when they get underway.

Cadent Gas Ltd have a permit in place to undertake works between September and November (10 weeks).

Canvey Island - surfacing improvements in progress

Work has officially begun to upgrade the road surface on B1014 High Street/Point Road in Canvey Island to carry out much needed improvements. A section between Wall Road roundabout and Park Lane is already complete, marking a strong start to the project.

Over 62,000 drains cleared across Essex ahead of winter months

Highways crews work hard keeping roads and paths safe to reduce flooding.

A total of 62,036 drains have been cleared across Essex between 1 April and 29 August as highways crews prepare for the harsh winter weather.

Essex Highways routinely clears blocked drains to prevent flooding, which can pose significant risks to road users and pedestrians.

Extra funding from the £8 million Priority One programme has allowed Essex Highways to add two drain-clearing crews across the county this year, which will continue into next year.

Road Closures: Velizy Avenue, First Avenue Mandela Avenue, A1019 and Fifth Avenue – Zelenskyy Avenue A1019

On behalf of Essex County Council, Bouygues UK Ltd are undertaking essential works on Velizy Avenue, First Avenue Mandela Avenue, and the A1019 as part of the Harlow Sustainable Transport Corridor project.

The contractor will also be undertaking works on Fifth Avenue – Zelenskyy Avenue A1019.

Both these series of works require road closures as detailed below.

How young people can make better travel choices as colleges return across Essex

New data shows most young people prefer walking.

Students are being asked to think about the way they travel as colleges across Essex return from the summer holidays.

The Make Your Move campaign by Essex County Council’s sustainable transport team shows the everyday benefits of sustainable travel for young adults.

This includes catching up with friends and staying fit by walking and cycling, instead of reaching for the car keys.