News releases and highways newsletters

Highways preparations begin for autumn weather

Essex Highways calling on landowners to clear and cut back trees, hedges, shrubs and ditches ahead of spring.

As the summer draws to a close, Essex Highways is urging landowners to clear ditches and trim back hedges that are close or next to the county’s network of roads and pavements. This helps keep them safe for residents.

In anticipation of wetter weather over the autumn and winter, the highways team is preparing for more calls and incidents relating to flooding. Many local floods are preventable if landowners keep on top of ditch and hedge maintenance.

Springfield Road developer works - traffic restrictions during September 2023

Further to works carried out by Cadent over the summer period, we have been supplied with details relating to utility works taking place during September 2023, as well as indicative dates for next year which support this developer scheme.  

Temporary traffic lights will be on Springfield Road in Chelmsford during September 2023, which will be adjusted according to activities taking place.  Please be assured that during this time access to adjacent properties, and the Bond Street car park will be maintained throughout.

Butt Lane Maldon - delayed highway works

Some initial trial hole investigations have taken place in September which have confirmed the location of the utility services in the area, however we regret that due to unforeseen circumstances, our main works on Butt Lane in Maldon have been unexpectedly delayed. 

National Highways - M11 Junction 8 North Bridge closure

A National Highways closure of the M11 Junction 8 North Bridge comes into force on Friday 8 September. Please see below for more details. Read full story

Essex residents take to two wheels at 42 cycling courses over summer

Over 40 cycling courses successfully delivered across the school summer holidays.

The Sustainable Transport Team at Essex County Council has successfully delivered 42 cycle courses across the county this summer holidays.

Over 200 participants of various ages took part in courses in Colchester, Chelmsford, Harlow and Uttlesford.

Courses ranged from a Learn to Ride course, aimed at transforming non-riders into confident cyclists, to Bikeability Level 1, which focuses on bike maintenance, control and foundation skills.

Northern Approach Road footway closures

As part of the preparations for the lane construction it has been necessary to close the footways on the western side of the road between Via Urbis Romanae and Bruff Close The closures include the suspension of the crossing points at the junction of Mill Road and Wallace Road but the signalised crossing to the Hospital will remain open.

Victoria Road, Chelmsford - Pedestrian/cyclist crossing facilities upgrade

Following recent works in Chelmsford to re-waterproof Victoria Road Bridge, and to carry out surfacing improvements on Victoria Road between Springfield Road and New Street improvements to Victoria Road, we are now ready to begin the next stage of our work programme. This involves upgrading the existing pedestrian facilities to a toucan crossing to aid both pedestrians and cyclists.

The existing crossing located adjacent to Victoria Road Bridge, where Bunny Walks meets Victoria Road, will see new signal equipment and tactile paving installed. Our works are being supported by temporary traffic signals and a lane restriction until they are complete. Where possible, temporary traffic restrictions will be reduced during the daytime to ease the flow of traffic.

Works will be carried out overnight (between the hours of 8pm and 5am) from 11 September 2023 until the end of September.

Colne Causeway crossing improvements

Work to improve the Colne Causeway crossing facilities are due to get underway next week (4th September).

Works on the crossing are due to get underway on the 4th September and will last approximately six weeks. The works will predominantly take place overnight between 8pm and 6am to minimise disruption, and noise will be kept to a minimum as much as possible.

Economic boost for Harlow businesses

Road improvement scheme planned for key business area of town.

A road improvement scheme to support a key business area in Harlow is set to start next month (September).

The project will promote economic growth for the Templefields area, a centre for manufacturing in the town.

At present traffic has to enter and leave the site at its western end via Edinburgh Road and River Way.

In future, a new entrance and exit on the A1184 Cambridge Road will give businesses access to and from the eastern end of the industrial estate.

Dunmow Road closure

A road closure on Dunmow Road comes into force from the 3rd September

Ultimately making it easier for traffic to get to and from the A120, the realigned Dunmow Road will also see improved walking and cycling infrastructure.