News releases and highways newsletters

Bakers Lane / Cottis Lane, Epping - Phase two progress update

Our teams are progressing phase two construction works on Bakers Lane and Cottis Lane in Epping,

Major city centre regeneration project underway

Transformation of St Botolph’s Circus to begin following appointment of contractor.

A major milestone in the ongoing regeneration of Colchester City Centre has been reached, with works on the £15.2 million redevelopment of St Botolph’s Circus set to begin.

Part of a successful government funding bid, the project will see the St Botolph’s Circus area transformed, making it safer, more accessible and creating a better environment for those travelling through it.

Jackson Civil Engineering has now been appointed to lead on building the scheme, one of the largest projects to take place in the city centre, following a detailed tender process. The decision is subject to a call-in period.

Works are expected to take about 18 months and are scheduled to be completed in Autumn 2027.

Progress update on A1331 Phase 1

Despite the recent poor weather, work has continued to progress on Phase One of the new A1331. While much of the work is currently taking place away from the A133, passers-by will have seen new landscaping taking place near to the new A133 roundabout.  Read full story

Construction set to start on Dovercourt regeneration schemes this spring

Public realm schemes part of a wider multi-million pound regeneration programme.

Work on two complementary schemes to improve Dovercourt town centre are set to get underway this spring.

The £2.39 million Dovercourt Public Realm Scheme involves a series of improvements between the seafront and Dovercourt Railway Station and has been developed by Essex County Council.

An additional £500k worth of enhancements will be brought to the area via the Dovercourt High Street Accelerator Green Spaces scheme, which is run by a forum of local partners and supported by Tendring District Council (TDC).

Both are part of the multimillion-pound Dovercourt Capital Regeneration Programme which includes the recent refurbishment of Harwich Library, a new car park in Milton Road and new council homes in Victoria Street.

The library reopened in October following a £1.16 million transformation. This included a new space for Adult Community Learning (ACL) and community events.

The Dovercourt Public Realm Scheme includes a series of paving, planting and improvements along the B1414 Kingsway. Read full story

New speed cameras installed on A414

Work is underway to install new average speed cameras along the A414. The cameras are being installed between Chelmsford and Harlow. They are part of ongoing efforts to make the road safer.

Average speed cameras help reduce serious collisions and improve compliance with speed limits.

To keep roadworkers safe while the cameras are installed, a temporary 40mph speed limit will be in force for the next five to six weeks. The installation is expected to be completed by mid‑March.

Highways Highlights - January 2026

The January edition of Highways Highlights has now been published.

The newsletter for all things highway in Essex.

In this edition:

and more…

Cowdray Avenue bus layby works

As part of ongoing investment to improve public transport across the city, works will shortly begin to upgrade the westbound Cowdray Avenue bus layby (opposite The Range).

These improvements are being delivered as part of Colchester’s Rapid Transit System (RTS) project. The works will create a larger bus layby to accommodate additional future bus services, alongside a widened footway to improve accessibility and ease of movement for pedestrians and bus passengers.

Construction is scheduled to start on 16 February and is expected to take approximately six weeks. To minimise disruption, works will be carried out overnight on weekdays. Read full story

Upcoming road closures - Harlow Sustainable Transport Corridor

On behalf of Essex County Council, Bouygues UK Ltd are undertaking essential works as part of the Harlow Sustainable Transport Corridor project. As a result of these works, the following closures are due to take place:

Burnt Mill Roundabout:

• From 8pm Monday 2 February until 5am Tuesday 3 February 2026
• From 8pm Tuesday 3 February until 5am Wednesday 4 February 2026
• From 8pm Wednesday 4 February until 5am Thursday 5 February 2025

Velizy Roundabout and approaches:

• From 8pm on Thursday 5 February to 5am on Friday 6 February 2026
• From 8pm on Friday 6 February to 5am on Saturday 7 February 2026

Landowners encouraged to cut vegetation ahead of bird nesting season

Unkept trees, hedges, and ditches can quickly become a safety hazard if not maintained.

Landowners are being reminded that trees, hedges, ditches and other vegetation close to highways needs to be maintained before bird nesting season begins.

Overgrown vegetation can prevent roads and paths from being safe by blocking paths and restricting the view of the highway.

Landowners are responsible for maintaining foliage on their land, even if it is close to a road or pavement. They have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to prevent risk.

Boxted Bridge – Public consultation open

A public consultation has been launched allow pedestrians and cyclists to use Boxted Bridge.