Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package, Chelmsford

Design standards have changed significantly since the previous Army and Navy flyover was first built in 1978. A modern standard two-way flyover would therefore be much bigger than the previous flyover and would take up considerably more space. Crucially, it would encourage more vehicle trips into the city centre, rather than supporting the Park and Ride, walking and cycling, which goes against our adopted Chelmsford Future Transport Network Strategy. The flyover would also have the largest noise impact and the longest and most disruptive construction programme, which would have the biggest impact on the local economy.

The remaining options – the separate T-junctions, hamburger roundabout and enlarged roundabout – provide the best opportunity to improve journeys for all transport users and are more in line with the vision set out in the Chelmsford Future Transport Network Strategy and with our Park and Ride Strategy. They would also be less visually intrusive and have less of an impact on noise, air quality and the landscape.

Ultimately we want the Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package to improve journeys for all transport users, including pedestrians, cyclists, bus passengers and drivers. While that does include reducing congestion and delays for vehicles, the project is a very difficult balancing act and we must be mindful about the impacts of the options on walking, cycling and Park and Ride usage, as well as the potential for causing increased congestion and delays elsewhere in the city centre, notably at the Odeon roundabout, by letting too much traffic through the junction. The Chelmsford Future Transport Network Strategy sets out a clear vision to transform transport in Chelmsford through a zonal approach, with a strong focus on walking, cycling and bus travel, particularly towards the city centre, and it is crucial that the Army and Navy project aligns with that vision and strategy.

A new one-way flyover was considered earlier in the project but was discounted because it would take up almost as much road space as a two-way flyover and have a similar cost but would provide fewer benefits. Notably, traffic travelling out of the city during the morning peak would need to merge lanes which would cause delays and a potential safety issue. This would also cause additional delays on other approaches to the junction such as Chelmer Road.

An underpass or tunnel for vehicles was discounted very early in the project. Given the location of the flood plain and the underground utilities at the junction, the option would be very complex and expensive to construct and would offer no additional benefits than the two-way flyover. Like the flyover, it would also encourage more vehicle trips into the city centre, rather than supporting the Park and Ride, walking and cycling, which goes against our adopted Chelmsford Future Transport Network Strategy.

Yes. We have assessed the different junction options based on a number of different scenarios. This includes using initial factors set by the Department for Transport based on the likely impacts of the pandemic on traffic and the economy. We will continue to update our assessment based on any updated guidance.

Each junction option has been upgraded to include significantly improved walking and cycling facilities at the junction, creating a coherent network to the city centre and including segregated cycle lanes where possible.

The exact routes and facilities vary slightly from option to option, however the remaining options would all include a parallel crossing across Baddow Road and the conversion of the existing crossing on Parkway near the Army and Navy junction to a toucan crossing. Pedestrian/cyclist access would also be created through Meadgate Terrace, providing an improved route through to the junction from Great Baddow. Either hybrid cycle lanes or a two-way cycle route on the eastern side of the road are proposed on Van Diemans Road.

We believe the pedestrian and cycle route improvement measures proposed at the Army and Navy junction itself offer a better alternative on the basis they would be suitable all year round, benefit from better lighting conditions and provide a more direct route.

In order to encourage more people to walk and cycle in Chelmsford, we need to provide high quality facilities that are attractive and accessible to everyone. If we were to include a subway under the Army and Navy junction, the space required for the ramps would not allow us to provide the vastly improved ground level walking and cycling facilities that we are proposing for each option. We know that many people feel unsafe using subways, especially at night, and that ramps can be difficult for people to negotiate. By not building a subway, it allows us to provide the best quality ground level facilities that we can – fully segregated walking and cycling routes that are wide, attractive and available to all users.

Park and ride proposals are also continuing to be developed as a vital part of the project, with our latest work showing there is likely to be sufficient future demand for both expansion of the existing Sandon Park and Ride site, as well as a new park and ride in Widford.

It is hoped that expansion of the Sandon site will be possible ahead of the Army and Navy junction improvement works to help accommodate additional demand and minimise disruption during the construction period.

A preferred site for the proposed new Park and Ride site in Widford has yet to be identified.

More information about the proposed Park and Ride improvements will be available during the public consultation in the summer.

Although passenger transport usage has decreased during the pandemic, we fully expect passenger numbers to recover in time. In line with the Chelmsford Future Transport Network Strategy, bus travel will play a key role in reducing travel demand in the city and we must continue to encourage people to use sustainable alternatives to driving. A full bus can remove up to 40 cars from the road network and help reduce congestion.

Based on current timescales, construction of the junction layout improvement scheme is expected to start in summer 2024 and be completed early in 2026. This is subject to funding being secured and planning, legal and Government approval processes.

The duration of the construction programme for the final scheme will be dependent on which of the remaining options is progressed. It would therefore vary slightly from option to option, however, it would be expected to be about 18 months. In order to help minimise disruption, it is hoped that Sandon Park and Ride site could be expanded in advance of the works at the junction. We will also ensure that construction is carefully coordinated and sequenced to avoid clashing with any other major works in the area wherever possible.

We understand people want a solution at the Army and Navy junction as quickly as possible and we do as well, however we must also follow Department for Transport, legal and planning processes and ultimately ensure we achieve the right scheme for Chelmsford. Very detailed evidence is needed in order to make the case and secure Government funding for any major transport scheme. Steps have already been taken to reduce the project programme wherever possible and every effort is being made to identify further opportunities. We are also exploring whether any elements of the Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package, such as expansion of Sandon Park and Ride, can be started in advance of the junction layout improvement works.

Funding has yet to be secured but is being pursued from the Government's Major Road Network and Large Local Majors programme. The Chancellor announced in the 2020 Spring Budget that the project has been approved to proceed to the next stage of development for consideration for funding and the Department for Transport (DfT) has agreed to continuing work with us in developing a strategic outline business case for the scheme. The award of funding will be dependent on presenting a successful business case.

A number of measures were introduced following the closure and subsequent removal of the flyover to manage congestion at the junction while a long-term solution is developed. These included optimising the part-time signals at the roundabout, adding an additional bus to and from Sandon Park and Ride at peak times (prior to the COVID-19 outbreak) and minor road layout improvements. We also offered to support the city’s largest employers to work with them on travel planning and encouraging their staff to use more sustainable modes of travel.

We are continuing to promote travel alternatives, including walking and cycling, and introduced our Stop.Swap.GO! campaign to offer additional incentives and make it easier than ever to swap the car for more sustainable ways to travel, like walking, cycling or using the bus.

Work has also been completed on other schemes in the city as part of the £15million Chelmsford City Growth Package, aimed at prioritising sustainable transport schemes for walking, cycling and passenger transport, while plans are also being finalised for further walking and cycling route improvements in Chelmsford after we were awarded £7.4million from the Government's Active Travel Fund for schemes across the county.

Together with the Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package, the projects are a crucial part of the bigger picture in encouraging safer, greener and healthier ways of getting around and making Chelmsford a city of the future.

The Army and Navy junction is a complex five-arm roundabout. A solution is not easy and, despite several investigations over the years, there is no quick fix and funding has not been available to pursue long-term improvements at the junction. Following the adoption of the Chelmsford Future Transport Network Strategy and permanent closure of the flyover, we were in a much stronger position to develop a long-term and sustainable solution and to pursue Government funding.

No. While COVID-19 has undoubtedly had a significant impact on Essex County Council and will continue to do so in the future, we remain as committed as ever to progressing the scheme. The Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package represents an opportunity to transform travel in Chelmsford and create a lasting legacy at this vital gateway.

The community will continue to play a vital role in helping shape the future of the Army and Navy junction. We are pleased to have developed an expected final shortlist of options, subject to some final assessment, that will be shared at public consultation this summer and look forward to hearing people’s views.

We are committed to keeping people informed as the project develops and shared our initial options for the junction with the public in November 2019. We have also hosted workshops for partners, including community groups, businesses and transport groups. In addition, updates have regularly been shared with the public via the project e-newsletter, media and other channels.

This webpage is updated regularly with the latest news on the project. You can also subscribe to our Army and Navy email newsletter.

The Chelmsford Future Transport Network Strategy outlines a strategy for Chelmsford’s future transport network to make all modes of transport attractive and give people real choice in the way they travel, helping to keep the city moving, protect the environment and support further growth. It sets the following vision for Chelmsford to 2036: “For Chelmsford's transport system to become 'best in class’, rivalling similar cities across the UK, offering enhanced connectivity and access to opportunities for residents, visitors and businesses to support the sustainable economic growth of the city.” The strategy focuses on the type of journey (short, medium and long distance) and is achieved through a zonal approach, with greater emphasis on more sustainable modes towards the centre of the city. In order to achieve the vision and objectives, the approach is based on applying different types of schemes to different zones to address the transportation issues facing Chelmsford both now and in the future.

More information is available on the Chelmsford Future Transport Network Strategy page.

Yes, we have taken into account all planned growth detailed in Chelmsford City Council’s new Local Plan, including the proposed Chelmer Waterside and East of Great Baddow developments.

The decision to allow the construction of the food store was made by Chelmsford City Council as the local planning authority. We were, however, consulted as the highways authority and stipulated that Aldi needed to provide land for the dedicated left slip road between Parkway and Chelmer Road, which was constructed in 2016 – well in advance of the store.

The new Aldi store has been factored into traffic modelling for the potential options for the Army and Navy junction.

The Chelmer Viaduct scheme was a Highways England project to replace and upgrade the previous 1930s bridge. The Army and Navy junction is Essex County Council’s responsibility and improvements to the junction would have been outside of the scope of the Chelmer Viaduct project. In addition, funding was not available and options for a long-term solution had yet to be explored.

A dedicated left slip road from Chelmer Road to Essex Yeomanry Way is proposed as part of all three of the remaining options for the Army and Navy junction.

The flyover was closed permanently on 16 September 2019 on safety grounds following the recommendation of a detailed engineering report, which revealed defects within the concrete foundations.

The flyover had previously been closed in September 2018 following movement of supporting columns caused by record high temperatures that summer. Repairs were carried out and it was reopened in October 2018, however in July 2019 similar defects were identified following more high temperatures and the flyover was again closed.

Expert engineers examined the structure and recommended that it was closed permanently.

Repairs carried out to the flyover before it reopened in October 2018 were not able to address the root cause of the movement of the structure and any further repairs would only have provided another short-term solution to the problem.

Although it is not possible to exactly predict travel behaviours post COVID-19, there is still growth planned in and around Chelmsford that means we expect the Army and Navy junction to continue to be a key gateway into and out of the city. We have used the DfT’s latest guidance on post COVID-19 transport modelling to assess the need for intervention and we believe that improvements to the junction are still required. The Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package represents an opportunity to create a lasting legacy at the junction, providing greater options for people to travel and encouraging safer, greener and healthier ways of getting around the city.