News releases and highways newsletters

Essex leaders call for changes to the A12 Widening Scheme to reflect future transport needs

Essex County Council has developed alternative proposals for the detrunked sections, which would see one carriageway in each direction converted into an ‘Active Travel Corridor.

Council leaders have written to the head of National Highways to express significant concerns about proposals for two sections of the A12 which are planned to be detrunked and transferred to Essex County Council (ECC).

In their letter to Nick Harris, Chief Executive of National Highways, the leaders of Essex County Council, Braintree District Council and Colchester City Council have explained that while National Highways’ plans for the A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme between Junction 19 (Boreham) and Junction 25 (Marks Tey) are supported overall, the current proposals for the detrunked sections do not align with local or central Government priorities around promoting safety, sustainable transport and green infrastructure.

As part of the widening scheme, National Highways is proposing to build new sections of the A12 away from the existing road and detrunk two existing sections – between Feering and Marks Tey and Witham and Rivenhall – and transfer them to ECC to maintain and operate as local roads, largely in their current form.

Improvements planned for Chelmsford’s Victoria Road this April

Essential maintenance on Victoria Road Bridge will take place next month, and will include pedestrian crossing, cycling and road improvements.

Works that will include improvements to cycling and pedestrian access and upgrading the existing toucan crossing will take place on Victoria Road, Chelmsford.

From 3 April to 19 April Victoria Road Bridge will be fully closed 24 hours a day while the essential works are carried out. Properties and businesses can be accessed from either side of the closure points via the diversion. The closure will be extended during a limited number of overnight closures required to support surfacing works.

Victoria Road Bridge will be re-waterproofed to add extra protection to the structure, parts of which originate to 1924. This will include the removal and replacing of the existing waterproof membrane on the bridge, carrying out concrete repairs and installing a new surface layer.

Highways Highlights - February 2023

The February 2023 edition of Highways Highlights has now been published.

The newsletter for all things highway in Essex.

In the February edition:

• Why we use ‘make safe’ repairs
• LED phase 4 update
• New gritters get named

and more...

Read the Highways Highlights February 2023 edition.

Cheaper bus travel for Essex passengers extended to end of June

Essex bus users now have until 30 June to benefit from lower fares as Government extends £2 Bus Fare Cap.

The majority of bus passengers in Essex will be able to travel more cheaply by bus for an additional three months until the end of June, after a Government fare discount scheme was extended.

Since January, the Bus Fare Cap has limited the price passengers will pay for an adult single fare to £2 on routes operated by bus firms which have opted into the scheme.

Initially set to end on 31 March, the scheme has now been extended to 30 June, thanks to additional funding of up to £75 million across England from central Government. The extension means passengers can continue to save around 30% against the average single fare price of £2.80.

The Department for Transport has also confirmed up to £80 million of continued support for critical bus services across England, taking the funding provided to bus companies across the country since March 2020 to £2 billion.

Don’t forget to have your say on the proposed expansion of Chelmer Valley Park and Ride

Don’t forget to have your say on the proposed expansion of Chelmer Valley Park and Ride

Time is running out to respond to a public consultation about plans to help meet future Park and Ride demand and reduce traffic in Chelmsford.

The public are being reminded to have their say on proposals to expand Chelmer Valley Park and Ride.

Hundreds of people have already shared their views on the proposed 500-space expansion, which is planned as part of Essex County Council’s Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package.

With less than three weeks until the council’s public consultation closes on Sunday 12 March, residents and visitors are being encouraged to take part.

RideLondon-Essex helps get Essex Moving

The cycling event, which took place in May 2022 in conjunction with Essex County Council, has led to a million-pound funding partnership.

After a successful and exciting six months, there is real evidence that RideLondon is encouraging Essex residents to move more.

From mother and daughter bootcamps and boxing sessions, to Skate Jam events and inclusive cycling initiatives, over 140 new physical activity sessions across Essex are now taking place as a result of RideLondon-Essex in May 2022, providing substantial impact within local communities.

The RideLondon-Essex cycling event, which took place in May 2022 in conjunction with Essex County Council, has led to a million-pound funding partnership.

Updates on the M11 Junction 8 Improvement Scheme

Progress continues to be made on the works on the A120 and on the new alignment of Birchanger Lane as part of the planned M11 Junction 8 improvements scheme.

The works aim to improve access between the M11 and A120 and other key destinations as well as improve capacity on the M11 Junction 8 slip roads and the A120.

Birchanger Lane is currently closed to allow for the construction of the new alignment and drainage. Preparation has been made on the A120/A1250 junction to allow new surfacing works to commence. West of the A120 Roundabout sheet piling has been installed and concreting works are underway.

More information is available in the recent M11 Junction 8 newsletter, produced by the contractor John Sisk & Son, and is available at the bottom of the M11 Junction 8 webpage.

White Hart Bridge - Scheme update February 2022

The first phase of the bridge deck replacement works at White Hart Bridge are progressing, the east side of the concrete deck has been poured and work to install the vehicle parapet over the bridge and safety barriers are currently taking place.

Finchingfield Bridge - extension to planning application deadline

Following our update of 31 January 2023, we would like to draw to your attention that the consultation period for the Finchingfield Planning Application has been extended to 28 February 2023.

New schemes announced to prioritise road and footpath repairs in Essex

Increased investment in the repair and maintenance of roads and footpaths across Essex has been confirmed for the next year.

Speaking at Full Council today (Thursday 9 February), Cllr Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, announced the budget for 2023/24 for highway and footway repair and maintenance would receive increased investment of £9 million. He confirmed:

• £4m for schemes such as the Member-led pothole scheme, and a new scheme for footpaths.
• Additional investment for general highways maintenance and service.
• Refining the roles and responsibilities of Local Highway Panels to improve efficiency and influence.