News releases and highways newsletters

Last chance to have your say on key principles of new transport strategy for Essex

Residents and businesses are being encouraged to respond as part of initial public consultation.

Essex residents, businesses and visitors are being encouraged to have their say on the key principles of a new strategy which will guide the future of transport in the county.

Essex County Council launched a first public consultation on its new Essex Transport Strategy, formally known as the Local Transport Plan, last month. The consultation closes on Sunday 22 September.

The consultation focuses on key themes and outcomes, and feedback will be used to help inform further development of the strategy.

Essex County Council maintains strong active travel rating

The council’s rating demonstrates support for residents making sustainable journeys.

Essex County Council has maintained its strong rating in delivering active travel across the county, improving the quality of choice residents have in how they travel.

Active Travel England confirmed the council continues to have a capability rating of two, representing ‘visible local leadership and support with an emerging network’.

The rating reflects the council’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and policies which encourage physically active journeys, such as cycling and walking.

Upcoming road closures - Velizy Avenue and First Avenue/Mandela Avenue

On behalf of Essex County Council, Bouygues UK Ltd will soon be undertaking essential works Northbound and Southbound on Velizy Avenue A1019 as part of the Sustainable Transport Corridor project.

During these works, Velizy Avenue A1019, northbound from the Water Gardens roundabout junction to the Terminus Street/Post Office Road turning, will be closed on two nights from 8pm to 5am, on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th September 2024.

The road closure planned on First Avenue/Mandela Avenue, from the Velizy Roundabout junction down to the Park Lane mini roundabout junction, from Saturday 21st September to Sunday 22nd September 2024 has now been cancelled. These works were planned to install additional ducting, but are now no longer necessary

However, a seperate closure will be required on Velizy Avenue A1019, from the Velizy Roundabout junciton to the Water Gardens Roundabout junction. This closure will run overnight between the hours of 8pm to 5am from Sunday 29th September to Friday 4th October.

Road closures will be required for these series of works to ensure both the safety of the public and work force. Please note that these works are weather dependent, and dates may change subject to weather conditions. Read full story

Rapid Transit System traffic management update - No right turn on 24th September

Further to our letter regarding changes to the traffic management arrangement for the rapid transit system works which will affect access to the roads west of Northern Approach Road, we are writing to advise of a change of date for these works

The date for changes to the traffic management for the rapid transit system works which will affect access to the roads west of Northern Approach Road has now changed.

Between 8pm and 6am on 24th September, Northern Approach Road (A134) will be closed between the Mill Road junction and the Asda roundabout.

During the closure a signed diversion route will be in place, although access will be maintained for residents on the western side of Northern Approach Road with marshalls at the junction who will escort traffic through the closure. Read full story

Wicken Fen Bridge – scheme update

The reconstruction of Wicken Fen Bridge has been progressing well, with significant milestones taken place in recent weeks. The team has successfully lifted and installed the new precast reinforced concrete box units, a crucial step in the bridge's reconstruction.

Road Closure – Hammarskjold Road

On behalf of Essex County Council, Bouygues UK Ltd are undertaking essential works on Hammarskjold Road as part of the Sustainable Transport Corridor project.

As part of these works, Hammarskjold Road, from the Sainsbury’s roundabout junction down to Torkildsen Way, will be closed between Monday 9th September 2024 to Friday 29th November 2024.

For further details please read this letter that has been sent to local residents and businesses.

St Botolph's ground investigation and survey works

A series of ground investigation/survey works will start in the area on the 2nd September to help the project team further evolve plans for the regeneration of St Botolph’s Circus roundabout.

The works are expected to take around three weeks and will be undertaken mainly during the daytime between 8am and 5pm, however some nightworks will be required. These will take place between 10pm and 6am.

Taking place both on the roundabout itself and within the underpasses, no road closures are required. There may, however, be some lane closures as part of the nightworks. At points it will be necessary to close the underpasses, and pedestrian diversion routes will be put in place to direct people to the nearby crossing points.

Throughout these works the team will keep disruption to a minimum.

Rapid Transit Lane works set to get underway on Clingoe Hill

Colchester’s new Rapid Transport System will move a step closer this September, with work set to get underway on a dedicated lane along the A133 at Clingoe Hill.

The dedicated public transport lane forms part of a priority route between the new Colchester Tendring Garden Community and key destinations around the city.

This will connect with the works underway on Northern Approach and the existing Park and Ride facility.

Undertaken by Milestone Infrastructure, the first stage of works on Clingoe Hill will see construction of a new carriageway section along the southern verge of the A133.

Reporting issues to Essex Highways online now even easier

Improvements to the Tell Us tool include reporting urgent issues online and the option to inform Essex Highways when issues have got worse.

Improvements have been made to the Essex Highways Tell Us tool to make it easier for residents to report issues on the county’s roads.

Alongside regular safety inspections, Essex Highways relies on members of the public to report issues and problems through the online Tell Us tool.

These reports are used to understand where urgent repairs are needed. Last year, Essex Highways received over 50,000 reports from the public.

Waterhouse Lane and Rainsford Lane, Chelmsford road surfacing progress

Significant progress has been made on our overnight surfacing improvements along Rainsford Lane and Waterhouse Lane in Chelmsford, ensuring a safe and smooth route into the city centre.