News releases and highways newsletters

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.

Jet boost as road repairs speed up across Essex

Thousands of additional repairs are being carried out this summer thanks to additional funding.

Essex Highways is carrying out even more road repairs thanks to £3 million additional funding announced earlier this year by Essex County Council.

The improvements are being carried out by Jet Patchers, which can deliver rapid repairs on potholes.

Since June, over 2,300 potholes have been fixed, making the roads of Essex safer, greener and healthier to travel on for all users.

The Jet Patching machines and crews are currently operating in the Maldon and Uttlesford districts, carrying out rapid repairs on rural and local roads.

First stage of new Link Road to get underway following the appointment of contractor

Work on the first phase of the new A1331 near Colchester is set to get underway in the coming weeks, following the appointment of contractor Octavius Infrastructure.

Having carried out the detailed design work for the scheme, which will ultimately link the A120 and A133, Essex County Council has now appointed the firm to undertake the construction of the first phase of the project.

This will see the creation of a 1.8km dual carriageway road with three junctions. It will run between the A133 to the east of the University of Essex, and the new ‘Allen’s Farm Roundabout’ to the north.

Funding for the scheme comes from a successful £99.9 million Housing Infrastructure Fund bid from Homes England. The funding is also supporting the ongoing delivery of the city’s new Rapid Transit System, which will provide a step change in local public transport provision.

Together, these key first pieces of transport infrastructure will support the new Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community and will enable the first homes to be delivered.

Have your say on walking and cycling networks in Essex

New survey asking residents’ opinions on networks in Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Loughton, Harwich and Dovercourt, Maldon, Clacton and Jaywick and Waltham Abbey.

Residents and businesses are being encouraged to give their views on local walking and cycling networks in their area.

Essex County Council has today (Wednesday 14 August) launched a survey asking members of the public their views.

The findings will help the council develop and plan routes over the next ten years, helping to increase the travel options available to members of the public.