£5.27m secured to help create healthier streets

Schemes to create healthy streets in five parts of Essex will go ahead after Essex County Council bid to Government’s Active Travel Fund 4 is successful.

Funding of more than £5 million has been secured to change the look and feel of public places in Essex, creating space for residents to travel differently. 

By encouraging people to walk and cycle - perhaps just once a week – residents will have increased choice in how they travel, helping them improve their health, and even save money on their transport costs.

The Government has confirmed Essex County Council will be awarded £5.27 million from Active Travel Fund 4, which supports local authorities to design and implement changes to boost active travel use.

The council will use the ringfenced funding to fund a number of schemes designed to improve walking, wheeling and cycling access in Basildon, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester and Harlow.

The new schemes support the council’s ambition for Essex to make every street a healthier place to enjoy.

Cllr Lee Scott, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: “I want every resident to be able to be able to choose how they travel each day and not have to take their car because it’s the only option they have. It is essential we embrace alternative transport methods as we know that high volumes of traffic have a negative impact on the roads in our towns and cities.

“It is fantastic news that our Sustainable Transport team have won this funding, allowing us to create the safe spaces for travel that I know residents want, and I encourage those that can, to commit to go for a walk or bike ride.

“This funding is ringfenced to support transport independence, and we look forward to working with residents on how best to develop routes in their areas.

“If people are nervous about cycling, we are offering free adult cycling training courses to teach you the basics and help you ride safely. You can find out more at www.essexhighways.org/safer-greener-healthier/safer-greener-healthier-cycling.”

The schemes which have secured funding are:

For more information about the council's Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign, visit www.essexhighways.org/safer-greener-healthier.