News releases and highways newsletters

Alresford Bridge – weight restriction signage installation

Following a structural assessment, a 7.5 tonne weight restriction is being implemented at Alresford Bridge.

Help shape the future of transport in Braintree

Consultation on strategy to reduce town congestion and identify larger-scale projects.

The public are being encouraged to have their say on how we will travel in Braintree in years to come.

Created by Essex County Council in partnership with Braintree District Council, the new Braintree Future Transport Strategy responds to the need to reduce congestion in the town and rethink the way we travel.

The strategy sets out the current transport issues and opportunities, as well as a strategy for how transport schemes will be approached in the future.

Second edition of newsletter provides update on Chelmsford North East Bypass advanced works

Advanced enabling works are ongoing ahead of the construction of the planned Chelmsford North East Bypass.

The enabling works involve building a conveyor bridge, which will ultimately span the new bypass and enable the continued operation of an existing mineral quarry, Bulls Lodge, during construction and operation of the bypass.

The site has now been successfully set up, with the completion of the access haul road which enables materials to be moved through the site. Along the haul road, a culvert crossing over Boreham Brook tributary has also been built to facilitate plant and material access for the conveyor bridge construction.

More information about the latest progress is available in the second edition of the regular Chelmsford North East Bypass advanced works newsletter.

These newsletters are produced by the advanced works contractor, Octavius Infrastructure, and are available at the bottom of the Chelmsford North East Bypass webpage.

North Hall Road reopened

We are pleased to confirm the works to repair the retaining wall along North Hall Road are complete and the road was reopened to traffic on Saturday 19 November 2022.

Views of businesses and residents help shape new active travel proposals for Crouch Street in Colchester

Essex County Council recommends new option is progressed following continued engagement with residents and businesses.

A new proposal to revamp Crouch Street West in Colchester, aimed at improving space for pedestrians and cyclists, is set to move forward following talks and meetings with residents and business owners.

The latest plans drawn up for Crouch Street West will create new designated cycle routes in both directions, resurface the existing road and pavements and see the creation of a new area of public space for pedestrians. The plans will retain plenty of car parking spaces in the street for those who are unable to visit the area without the use of a vehicle.

Consultation on East Hill walking and cycling improvements

Plans designed to make it safer and easier to travel into Colchester city centre.

A consultation has opened on the first stages of a new walking and cycling route linking Colchester city centre, the University of Essex and Greenstead.

Making it safer and easier to travel into and from the city centre, the plans include proposals for segregated cycleways along East Hill, new crossing facilities, raised sections on side roads to help accessibility, new bus stops, revised parking arrangements and improved cycle crossing at the Guildford Road Junction.

New money-saving active transport campaign launches for Essex residents

​​​​​​​Digital campaign provides tips and information on how walking, cycling, e-scooting and using public transport can help cut costs this winter.

Essex County Council has launched a new Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign which promotes the money-saving benefits of sustainable travel.

The campaign, which will run for six weeks and appear on all the main social media platforms, shares tips and information about how cycling, walking, e-scooting and using public transport can help cut costs this winter.

Slade Bridge – site surveys and trial hole investigations complete

We are pleased to confirm the site surveys and trial hole investigations at Slade Bridge which runs beneath the High Street have been completed one week ahead of schedule. All traffic management has been removed.

Armitage Bridge – scheme update

We regret to inform that work at Armitage bridge is unexpectedly several weeks behind programme. After the long dry summer, we have lost time due to a waterlogged working area at the beginning of September and again at the beginning of November, where the working area became completely inundated for several days. Other activities, excavation among them have taken longer than initially planned. In response we have modified the working areas in order to limit further excavation, this has helped prevent further creep on the programme.

White Hart Bridge - Scheme update

Works to replace the bridge deck at White Hart Bridge have begun as planned. The site compound is in place and the temporary pedestrian footbridge has been installed.