Last chance to have your say on plans to reduce road deaths

Road deaths in Essex were at their highest in almost a decade last year, with 60 people losing their lives

Residents are being reminded to have their say on a new strategy aimed at reducing road deaths and serious injuries across Essex.

More than 2,000 people have already responded to the public consultation on the draft Essex Safer Speeds Strategy.

In 2025, 60 people lost their lives on Essex roads – the highest figure since 2016. Almost half of the deaths were related to speed. Hundreds more people were seriously injured.

Essex County Council has developed the new draft strategy in partnership with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP), which includes Essex Police.

It aims to support SERP’s shared Vision Zero ambition that nobody should be killed or seriously injured on Essex roads by 2040.

The strategy proposes new safer speeds based on how streets are used, rather than taking a blanket approach. Speed limits would be considered in a case-by-case and community-led way.

Planned areas of focus include working with communities to introduce 20mph speed limits on people‑focused streets and reducing speeds on roads around schools to help protect children travelling to and from school.

Nicola Foster, Chair on the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, said: “We have already heard from more than 2,000 residents, which shows just how important road safety is to people across Essex.

“Excess speed continues to be a major factor in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

“The Essex Safer Speeds Strategy is the single most important tool to realising Vision Zero and reducing traffic speeds to ensure no one is killed or seriously injured on Essex roads by 2040.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible before the consultation closes, so we would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet responded to take a few minutes to share their views.”

The public consultation closes on Sunday 26 April. A final drop-in consultation event is being held in Wickford High Street from 10am to 2pm on Thursday (23 April).

To have your say, visit: https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/essex-highways/essex-safer-speeds-strategy