Basildon overnight road closures planned as air pollution is tackled

Basildon residents will see sections of A132 East Mayne closed overnight in January as part of an air quality scheme.

Overnight road closures will be in place in January as a scheme to tackle air quality issues in an area of Basildon moves into the next phase.

The project comes after the Government directed Essex County Council and Basildon Borough Council to address an area of the A132 East Mayne which was identified as exceeding legal limits for nitrogen dioxide - a harmful gas caused by vehicle emissions.

Having considered a number of options, plans were developed to move the existing shared pedestrian and cycle route on East Mayne to reduce people’s exposure to air pollution in the worst affected area.

Works started in November and have been progressing well but will now pause over the Christmas period to minimise any potential disruption.

There will be a series of overnight closures on parts of Christopher Martin Road and the A132 East Mayne in January as the project enters its next phase.

Christopher Martin Road will be closed overnight from 9pm to 5am between the junctions with Honywood Road and the A132 East Mayne on Thursday 6th January 2022, Friday 7th January 2022 and Monday 10th January 2022.

The A132 East Mayne (Southbound) will be closed overnight from 9pm to 5am between the Nevendon Roundabout and the junction with Cricketers Way on Wednesday 12th January 2022 and Thursday 13th January 2022.

Signed diversion routes will be in place and restrictions will be removed at the end of each shift to allow the roads to remain open during the day.

Cllr Lee Scott, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: “We are required by law to take action to achieve compliance with legal air quality limits as quickly as possible and it is good to hear this important scheme to reduce people’s exposure to air pollution is progressing well.

“The night closures are part of the next phase of the works to ensure the safety of workers and the public. We are doing all we can to minimise any traffic disruption and apologise in advance for any inconvenience these works may cause.

“We recognise more must still be done to address the causes of air pollution and are also continuing to work together with Basildon Borough Council on a number of other projects and initiatives to encourage people to use more sustainable modes of transport.”

Further overnight closures of Christopher Martin Road are expected later in January 2022 and dates will be published once they are confirmed.

For more information about the project, details of the planned works and any scheduled road closures or restrictions, please visit: www.essex.gov.uk/airquality.