28 July 2021 Safer, Greener, Healthier

Next steps for safer, greener, healthier travel in Chelmsford: listening to residents

Essex County Council (ECC) recently asked recently for residents’ thoughts on a series of active travel proposals for Brentwood, Braintree, Colchester, Chelmsford and Wickford.  The proposals focused on making it safer, greener and healthier to walk and cycle as well as reduce congestion and air pollution across the county.

Consultation responses from around the county are still being analysed, but ECC is now able to publish the draft results on the proposals for Chelmsford.  These were shared today (28th July) with the Chelmsford Active Travel Steering Group and Members of Chelmsford City Council.

A number of the broader active travel objectives were positively received, but early indications from the 1,152 responses submitted (including emails and letters) show that the Moulsham ‘quartering’ proposals do not have widespread support.

ECC staff and Essex Highways engineers will now work closely with interested parties on developing revised recommendations to improve walking and cycling.  The Steering Group will also be considering what further engagement with residents could take place before the statutory consultation (TRO) is launched in the autumn.

Cllr Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, said: “Nearly 1,200 people gave us feedback on our Chelmsford proposals and I would like to thank everyone who contributed. We said we would listen and we have.  The quartering proposals have not achieved widespread support. 

"We have heard this loud and clear, but they are just one part of the broader aspirations for route one and for the city.  We look forward to working with Chelmsford City Council and the Steering Group on what else we can do to make cycling and walking safer and more accessible in the three areas covered by the proposals.”

The Colchester, Braintree, Brentwood and Wickford steering groups will all be meeting separately over the next few weeks to discuss their own high-level responses. ECC hopes to announce the consultation results later this summer.