News releases and highways newsletters

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.

Langford Road, Heybridge - Progress update

As part of the ongoing improvements to Langford Road in Heybridge, developers are progressing with key activities including the installation of permanent safety barriers along the new road alignment and final verge works.

Overnight lining works on A133

Work on the A133 Rapid Transit lane continues to progress on schedule, with the works due to complete by the end of the month.

One of the final elements of the scheme is putting lining onto the new surface. To minimise disruption this work will be undertaken overnight, with a closure in place Eastbound (heading away from Colchester) from 8pm on the 17th September and Westbound (heading towards Colchester) from 8pm on the 18th September.  

While a permit is in place until 5am, the team expect to complete the works ahead of this time and will open the road as soon as possible.

Landowners urged to cut vegetation now bird nesting season is over

Overgrown trees, hedges and ditches can quickly turn into safety concerns.

Landowners are being reminded that trees, hedges, ditches and other vegetation close to highways needs to be maintained with summer drawing to a close.

Overgrown vegetation can prevent roads and paths from being safe when wetter weather and shorter days draw near, blocking paths and restricting clear view of the highway.

Cadent Gas utility works update - St Botolph's Circus

Ahead of starting the 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.

Over the coming week (Sep 1st) Cadent Gas will be undertaking further survey work / trial holes on the gas mains located on St Botolph’s Roundabout and the adjacent highway. Due to the nature of these works some traffic management will be required on site.

Road Closure: Sainsbury’s Roundabout, Fifth Avenue – Zelenskyy Avenue A1019 and Hammarskjold Road

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

As a result of these works, a nighttime road closure will take place on Sainsbury’s Roundabout from 9pm on Sunday 31st of August until 5am on Monday 1st of September 2025. To facilitate this closure, the following roads will also be closed during this period ... Read full story

Voi announced as new e-scooter trial operator in Essex

1,200 vehicles to be deployed across Chelmsford, Colchester and Braintree.

E-scooters will once again be available for hire in Essex starting this week, with Essex County Council announcing Voi as the new operator of the trial. 

The roll-out will begin in Chelmsford on Wednesday 27 August and will continue in Colchester and Braintree at dates to be confirmed soon. 

Voi has extensive experience across the UK and Europe and its offer includes advanced fleet management, responsive customer service and a strong emphasis on safety and compliance.

Cadent Gas Utility Works - St Botolph's Circus

Ahead of starting the regeneration of St Botolph’s Circus, advanced works are needed to help make sure that utilities are moved away from the works area.

This week Cadent Gas will be undertaking survey work and digging trial holes ahead of working through September/October to divert the mains, so ensuring that there are no issues when the main works get underway next year.

To enable the cadent team to undertake this work safely, a lane closure will be in place this week while the trial hole work is undertaken.

Further details will be provided on the work taking place through September/October once confirmed.

Road Closure: Fifth Avenue – Zelenskyy Avenue A1019

On behalf of Essex County Council, Bouygues UK Ltd are undertaking essential works on Fifth Avenue – Zelenskyy Avenue A1019 as part of the Harlow Sustainable Transport Corridor project.

As a result of these works, nighttime road closures will take place on Fifth Avenue – Zelenskyy Avenue A1019 in both directions between the Burnt Mill Roundabout and the Sainsbury’s

Roundabout. These closures will take place on three nights, at the following dates and times ...