Press Releases and Highways Highlights

Essex County Council last week announced that the flyover would stay closed to traffic after a detailed engineering report revealed new defects within its concrete foundations. 

The council is now in the process of identifying and appointing a contractor to safely remove the structure.

Meanwhile, work continues to assess potential long-term improvements on to the Army and Navy junction.

Cllr Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: “The flyover cannot remain in its current condition, even with no traffic using it, so we will remove it as soon as is practicable.

“We have now started the process to appoint a specialist contractor to take the structure down and are also working to finalise the funding required.

“In the meantime, work is continuing at pace to develop options for much-needed improvements to the junction.

“We are working hard to find a long-term solution for this critical part of Chelmsford, but we also need to ensure we get it right. Any improvements must be effective in not only improving the junction, but also encouraging more sustainable travel and avoiding putting additional pressure on other roads in the city centre.

“I continue to work with the local MP, city and parish councillors, and local residents to ensure everyone is kept informed and their views are heard.”

To manage congestion in the shorter term, the council is progressing measures to minimise the impact of the closure of the flyover.

Cllr Bentley added: “I would like to reiterate my thanks to those who have supported us in managing the impact of the flyover closure by planning ahead and using alternative transport such as buses, bikes or walking.

“We have also taken various steps to keep traffic moving at the junction, including optimising the part-time signals at the roundabout, preventing non-urgent roadworks taking place and adding an additional bus to and from Sandon Park and Ride at peak times.

“Further measures are also planned, such as improving traffic flow between the roundabout and Parkway, installing temporary signage and approaching local schools to support them with travel plans.”
The Army and Navy Taskforce, made up of local representatives including Vicky Ford MP and elected members of the parish, city and county councils, continues to progress ideas for the future of the junction.

For the latest news on the junction, revisit this page or follow @EssexHighways or @Essex_Travel on Twitter

The report says monitoring of the structure, which initially focused on temperature related movement, has been widened and revealed new defects within the flyover’s concrete foundations. The report concludes that for reasons of safety the flyover should not reopen to traffic again.

Cllr Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: “I will not place any Essex resident in danger.

“A short-term fix of the movement caused by the very hot weather will not enable safe use of the flyover. The central recommendation of the report I received today is that the Army and Navy flyover should not be repaired and re-opened and I will abide by that recommendation.

“This is an emergency situation and I would ask for patience and understanding during this challenging time. Many people are taking committed action to improve this junction as soon as possible. 

“My focus, and the focus of the Army and Navy Taskforce, is to now decide along with Vicky Ford MP, Chelmsford City Council, and local parish and residents, on a solution to the Army and Navy junction and to secure funding to deliver that solution as quickly as possible.

“The flyover cannot be left in its current condition, even with no traffic using it, as it is still experiencing movement. Therefore I will now be looking urgently at the next steps to remove the flyover.

“At the same time, we are continuing to urgently progress plans for a new junction at this critical part of Chelmsford and will work with the public to conclude this work. 

“Until then I repeat my advice to plan ahead and switch to alternative methods of transport like buses, bikes or simply walking to get to school or work.

“We know that the whole of Chelmsford feels the effects when there are problems at the Army and Navy flyover, but we cannot put the safety of people at risk by allowing them to use the structure.”

Cllr Bentley thanked road users who have already switched to different forms of transport to get into and out of Chelmsford.

Measures have already been implemented to keep traffic moving at the junction and through the city, including

• Optimising the part-time signals at the Army and Navy roundabout
• Opening the Parkway slip lane at the New London Road/Parkway junction and the operation of the signals at this location working independently on each side of Parkway
• Non-urgent roadworks on the main corridors into the city centre have now been prevented from taking place
• An additional bus to/from Sandon Park and Ride has been provided during peak hours
• The continuing refinement of traffic signal timings in the city
• Taxis and motorcycles are now prevented from extending the green light from a bus priority signal on Essex Yeomanry Way, heading toward the Army and Navy roundabout.

All of the details and alternative options for travel in the city, including, cycling, walking and public transport, are available online at: www.essexhighways.org/transport-and-roads/getting-around.aspx 

A steering group including County, City and Parish councillors, local residents’ representatives and Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford, will meet next week to continue work to define the future of the junction.

For the latest news on the junction, visit www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy or follow @EssexHighways or @Essex_Travel on Twitter

A report on the structure from engineers is expected within the next two weeks, but in the meantime the flyover will remain closed.

Over the last two summers, extremely high temperatures have caused significant movement to several of the supporting columns. On both occasions, there was no alternative but to close the flyover as it would have been unsafe to leave it open.

Last week Cllr Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, and Vicky Ford, MP for Chelmsford, attended a meeting in Parliament with Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, and The Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, to discuss bids for funding to improve the Army and Navy junction. The meeting went well and support and advice on the bidding process were secured.

Pupils attending primary and secondary schools in Chelmsford returned to school from the summer break last week, which did increase traffic queues at the Army and Navy, but not to the expected very high levels.

Essex County Council’s Traffic Control Centre, based in County Hall, is constantly monitoring traffic at the Army and Navy junction.

A spokesperson for the Traffic Control Centre said: “All approaches to the Army and Navy junction were slow-moving during rush hour periods but no different to normal traffic volumes during term time. This suggests drivers are heeding advice to find alternative routes to travel to and from the city.”

Measures already implemented to keep traffic moving at the Army and Navy junction and all approaches to Chelmsford during peak traffic times include:

• Optimising the part-time signals at the Army and Navy roundabout
• Opening the Parkway slip lane at the New London Road/Parkway junction and the operation of the signals at this location working independently on each side of Parkway
• Non-urgent roadworks on the main corridors into the city centre have now been prevented from taking place
• The bus service frequency to the Sandon Park and Ride has now been increased
• Essex County Council is continually refining signal timings in response to traffic congestion issues in the city
• Taxis and motorcycles are now prevented from extending the green light from a bus priority signal on Essex Yeomanry Way heading toward the Army and Navy roundabout.

A steering group including County, City and Parish councillors, local residents’ representatives and Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford, has met to discuss the future of the Army and Navy flyover in response to the recent closure and how the impact on journey times can be reduced.

The group are urgently seeking a long-term solution to the Army and Navy but in the immediate term they have discussed a range of options which the travelling public are able to consider, including:

• Taking advantage of capacity at Sandon Park and Ride – at the morning peak period, there are still around 450 spaces available for car users at Sandon. The cost is just £3.60 daily or £18 weekly and under 16’s travel for just £1 daily.
• Changing or staggering journey times to avoid the morning and evening peak
• Taking advantage of cycling options or walking
• Utilising Chelmsford’s excellent local bus network with an adult daily ticket of £4.90 available enabling travel anywhere in the City.

All details are available online at: https://www.essexhighways.org/transport-and-roads/getting-around.aspx

Cllr Kevin Bentley, Cabinet member for Infrastructure at Essex County Council, and a member of the Army and Navy steering group, said: “This is an emergency situation and many people are taking committed action to improve this junction as soon as possible.

“The moment we have any further information about the flyover, I will be sharing it. I’ve recently spoken to the media extensively and I’m determined to keep everyone informed of updates to the situation at the Army and Navy junction.

“Until then I repeat my advice to plan ahead and switch to alternatives like buses, bikes or simply walking to get to school or work.”

“We know that the whole of Chelmsford feels the effects when there are problems at the Army and Navy flyover, but we cannot put the safety of people at risk by allowing the structure to stay open while we learn more about our options.”

For more information about the scheme, and to keep up with short term updates please visit: www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy or follow @EssexHighways or @Essex_Travel on Twitter

Men and women working to keep Essex roads safe for everyone are featured in short films produced by the Department for Transport, which have launched today (Friday 6 September).

The films are part of a Government campaign called ‘Road Heroes’, highlighting the often unsung work our staff do to keep our highways safe and fit for purpose.

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said:

“Whether they are fixing potholes, resurfacing whole roads or repairing street lights, staff have to work in all weathers throughout the year, often at night. One thing that has changed over the years is the total priority now given to safety for the workers and the public – too many roadworkers across the country used to be killed and injured. Nowadays the job is still inherently high risk, with live traffic often just a few feet away, but modern equipment methods and training are helping to bring the workforce home each day, safely.”

He added: “All of us tend to take our roads for granted, forgetting that as traffic gets heavier, roads wear out faster. We also tend to complain at the inconvenience of roadworks for a few hours, forgetting that the road will then be improved for years afterwards. The people who do the work, and the behind-the scenes teams, deserve not just our respect but our active appreciation, for a job done in difficult conditions.”

The Essex films highlight a plea to report potholes so we can repair the worst ones quickly. Reporting using our online service www.essex.gov.uk/highways ensures it goes straight to the Highways Inspector’s tablet computer. One innovation on trial in Essex is an asphalt recycling machine which re-uses material dug out from the potholed surface, heated and re-laid, saving material and travel time and so money.

Spencer, one of the employees featured, talks about his career progress, including qualification as an HGV driver, which gives him a key role in the team as well as more earning opportunities. Several of the current and recent directors and senior managers at Essex Highways started their career laying blackstuff, gaining valuable experience on the front line of keeping the county moving.

Follow the #RoadHeroes day on Friday at @transportgovuk and for local insights on @EssexHighways

Among highlighted measures will be the partnership of Essex County Council and Sport England to launch the Essex Design Guide last year which promotes the creation of walkable communities and connected cycle routes at the very earliest stages of town planning.

Existing, new and proposed infrastructure measures that make up the £15m South East Local Enterprise Partnerships Local Growth Fund (SELEP LGF) sustainable transport package will also be revealed to conference attendees. Cycle County, Active County 2019 is the 7th annual event in the Cycle City, Active City event series, an annual conference organised by Landor Links and hosted by Essex Highways, which aims to increase cycling and walking within the UK’s towns, cities and counties.

It is the UK's premier networking event for public and private sector professionals tasked with enabling, implementing and improving better provision for active travel, and embedding its use for more short journeys and more parts of longer journeys. 

The focus of the conference is on walking, cycling and other active modes of transport, and the benefits such transport can bring to communities across the country such as better mobility, improved health, cleaner air and greater social strength and cohesion.

In previous years this event has been hosted in Manchester, Leeds, Leicester, Newcastle and Birmingham and now the event is coming to Chelmsford – with a focus on how planning cycling and walking routes can help counties, not just major urban centres of population.

Two directors at the Department for Transport, Stephen Fidler, Director of Local Transport, and Rupert Furness, Deputy Director of Active and Accessible Travel, will be keynote speakers on the opening morning of the conference followed by a Q&A session.

Christopher Heaton-Harris, Minister of State for Transport, was due to be keynote speaker but events now require him to be in the House of Commons.

This address will be followed by a panel discussion chaired by Esther Kurland, Director of Urban Design London. The panel will consist of Cllr Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for infrastructure, Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of Sport England, Sílvia Casorrán, Cycling lead in Sustainable Mobility of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, and Mac Ferrari-Guy, Founder of Bikestormz Nation, an activist-led cycle education group.

The event is hosted by Essex Highways, a partnership between Ringway Jacobs and Essex County Council. The event is sponsored by Active Essex, another Essex County Council partnership agency which aims to reduce inactivity in the county.

Cllr Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: “Essex Highways is pleased to host this unique event. Our objective is to make it easier for people to travel across Essex, bringing communities together and connecting people to services, employment and learning opportunities. If we are to limit congestion, keep people and local goods deliveries moving while at the same time reducing pollution, then we must embrace cycling and walking as alternative transport.”

The event is sponsored by Anglia Ruskin University where the conference will take place in Chelmsford on Thursday 5th September and Friday 6th September.

The other conference sponsor is Forward Motion, an initiative funded by the Department for Transport to encourage people to think differently about the way they travel around south Essex.

The conference is supported by The Department for Transport, engineering solutions consultants WSP, jobsintransportation.com, Local Transport Today and Mobycon, a cycle path design company from the Netherlands.

Among the confirmed speakers are Mark Jenks, senior urban designer of Midlands and East Sustrans, Helen Akpabio, Sustainable travel planning manager at Essex County Council and Andy Martin, urban design advisor, Transport for London.

Jason Fergus, Director of Active Essex, which is supporting the event, will also be speaking at the conference about Essex’s whole system approach for tackling inactivity across the county.

He said; “I am delighted, alongside my colleague Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of Sport England, to share some early findings of the Essex Local Delivery Pilot understanding local community need, behaviours of inactive residents in Essex and how important active travel is. This agenda has a big part to play in influencing behaviour change and encouraging people to move more.”

All conference attendees, who are drawn from across Europe, are invited to take part in a four-mile cycling tour of Chelmsford. These tours have proved very popular at previous conferences and city residents may see large groups of cyclists enjoying the tour while the conference is on.

For in-depth details of Cycle County, Active County 2019, and for tickets, which are still available, go to http://landor.co.uk/cyclecounty/programme.

The launch of the draft walking strategy wants to get more people walking in Essex – setting out very clear priorities to support walking across the county, understanding what is needed from footpaths and infrastructure to make walking the first choice for shorter journeys and improving our street for those in wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

The draft walking strategy sets out the key barriers, challenges and opportunities to increase levels of walking, which has dropped in the last 30 years. Walking for short trips, or as part of a longer journey combined with another mode of transport such as train, bus or car share, should be the natural choice.

The strategy will help to re-establish walking as a normal way of getting around for everyday travel and will support local plans by highlighting the importance of good walking networks which are accessible, coherent and direct for all, support walking to school, support economic development and improve road safety for all pedestrians.

If more people in our towns used a mix of walking (and cycling) with public transport, valuable road-space would be free for those with no alternative but to drive. Encouraging more sustainable travel such as walking (and cycling) would not only reduce congestion and boost efficiency on the road network, but would also improve air quality.

Good walking networks are key to providing more choice regarding how we travel, new communities will benefit from well planned walking routes which connect homes to local schools’ shops and services, but also to bus routes and stations. Encouraging more walking to school is a key part of managing local congestion and limited parking around schools.

For many walking is the low cost way to get to the local shops, doctors, school, work – or even the nearest bus stop to continue a journey more sustainably, and now the council want to make it the natural choice for shorter journeys – and understand what the barriers are if walking is not an option.

Essex County Councillor Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure said: “I want to help make walking the first choice for travel around our great County. The Walking Strategy is a plan for all pedestrians, to get more of us walking on our network of footways and paths in our rural areas, towns, cities and neighbourhoods. While motivated by the need to reduce congestion and improve the resilience of our transport networks, especially for shorter journeys, the benefits of making our towns more walkable will be a more active, healthier population and a safer and cleaner environment."

Essex County Council wants to know residents views on the draft walking strategy and a consultation will run for six weeks, until 18 October particularly seeking views on:

• What are your main motivations for walking?
• Do you experience any barriers to walking/is there something which is currently stopping you from walking more?
• How can we encourage you to walk more?
• How often do you walk?

The consultation can be completed online and responses will inform the final Essex walking strategy 2019 - 2025 – A Strategy to promote more walking and improve the pedestrian environment.

Over the last two summers, extremely high temperatures have caused significant movement to several of the supporting columns. On both occasions, there was no alternative but to close the flyover as it would have been unsafe to leave it open.

A report on the structure from engineers is expected in the coming weeks, but in the meantime the flyover will remain closed.

This week, a group including County, City and Parish councillors, local residents’ representatives and Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford, met again to discuss the future of the Army and Navy flyover in response to the recent closure and how the impact on journey times of extra traffic when the schools return can be reduced.

The group are urgently seeing a long term solution to the Army and Navy but in the immediate term discussed a range of options which the travelling public are able to consider, including:

• Taking advantage of capacity at Sandon Park and Ride – at the morning peak period, there are still around 450 spaces available for car users at Sandon. The cost is just £3.60 daily or £18 weekly and under 16’s travel for just £1 daily.
• Changing or staggering journey times to avoid the morning and evening peak
• Taking advantage of cycling options or walking
• Chelmsford’s excellent local bus network with an adult daily ticket of £4.90 available enabling travel anywhere in the City.

All details are available online at: www.essexhighways.org/transport-and-roads/getting-around.aspx

Cllr Kevin Bentley, Cabinet member for Infrastructure at Essex County Council, said: “Everyone knows that traffic levels increase when the schools go back, so we are encouraging road users to plan ahead and switch to alternatives like buses, bikes or simply walking to get to school or work – many of the journeys people make by car in Chelmsford are less than 3 miles.

“We know that the whole of Chelmsford feels the effects when there are problems at the Army and Navy flyover, but we cannot put the safety of people at risk by allowing the structure to stay open while we consider our options. Engineers have spent the summer looking at the structure and considering ways that we can improve the junction.

“We are urgently working on a long-term answer to the issues related to the Army and Navy roundabout and we are committed to providing a solution that isn’t simply a quick-fix or a sticking-plaster.“

Vicky Ford, MP for Chelmsford, said: “Designing and building a new long term solution is an urgent priority. In the interim all ways to reduce congestion and keep Chelmsford moving must be put into action. This means encouraging those who don’t need to drive through Chelmsford to find alternative routes as well as making it easier to take a bus, set up a car share, use the park and ride or cycle. Some of Chelmsford’s employers are already working on innovative ways to help their staff reduce journey times at peak hours including staggering work times.

"Projects like the building of Chelmsford’s second railway station and the North East Bypass are good news for the future as these will reduce traffic movements coming through central Chelmsford. If the existing flyover cannot be reopened safely within a reasonable time frame then I believe it should be taken down as soon as possible.”

For more information about the scheme, and to keep up with short term updates please visit: www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy or follow @EssexHighways or @Essex_Travel on Twitter.

Two multi-million-pounds projects – covering the North East Bypass and Beaulieu Railway Station in Chelmsford, and the A120/A133 link road and rapid transit system in Colchester and north east Essex, will help ensure growth and improve connectivity across the county, region and beyond.

Both projects were the subject of Housing Infrastructure Funds bids, supported by the County Council and City, Borough and District Councils and local MPs.

Cllr David Finch, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “We are delighted that the Government has recognised the value of these projects and confirmed we will have much needed investment to support vital infrastructure and unlock housing growth.

“The announcement is truly reflective of just how key road, rail and public transport networks are for Essex’s growth, helping create the conditions for our economy and communities to grow in a sustainable way. We are pleased that Government has recognised this with over half of the £600m HIF money being directed to Essex. 

“Chelmsford and Colchester are already great places for people to live and for businesses to thrive and this funding will help grow the attraction of both places for generations to come.

“I would like to thank all those involved in preparing the bids across Essex. This investment today is an excellent demonstration of value for money for the £2m we invested to develop these bids." 

The new Beaulieu railway station on the outskirts of Chelmsford will provide access to the Great Eastern Main Line, relieve crowding at Chelmsford station (the country’s busiest 2-platform station) and support the construction of thousands of new homes at Beaulieu Park and the Channels estate.

Combined with the Chelmsford North East Bypass, which will run between the A12 and A131, this will help to relieve traffic congestion on local roads, providing a strategic link between Chelmsford, Braintree, London Stansted Airport and the wider east and southeast of England, including South Essex and the Lower Thames Crossing.

Currently, there is only 4% space left on Chelmsford’s roads during the morning and evening peak periods.

North-east of Colchester, a new rapid transit system will keep the town moving by providing fast access to the centre and the railway stations, helping commuters and taking traffic off the already congested local road network.

A new road linking the A120 and A133 will also unlock land to provide up to 7,500 new homes and will improve connectivity locally and within the wider region.

This infrastructure will enable the network to be more flexible and resilient for new and existing residents, which will help Essex to continue to be an effective gateway to Europe through its ports and airports in the years to come.

In a meeting today at County Hall the Department for Transport confirmed they not only want a long-term resolution that is palatable to residents but also that they are interested in a short-term solution following the recent closure.

Cllr Kevin Bentley said: “It is my duty, to the people of Chelmsford and Essex, to accelerate the delivery of this project and ensure we find a long-term solution to the Army and Navy junction.”

Vicky Ford, Member of Parliament for Chelmsford said: “I am very pleased that the Secretary of State for Transport has told officials at a national level to urgently prioritise this project. We must design, agree and build the best possible long-term solution – which is going to take time – but the news today means that that timetable can be accelerated.”

Stephen Robinson, Leader of Chelmsford City Council said: "Essex County Council need to put in place urgent, short-term measures to address today's problems, and we all need to work together on long-term solutions to congestion issues across Chelmsford, of which the Army & Navy is just a part." 

David Allen, from Great Baddow Neighbourhood Association said: “We are glad that this is now a matter of urgency and hopefully we can all agree on a long-term solution.”

The Army and Navy Taskforce will continue to meet over the summer to work on the short-term solutions for the flyover and how to mitigate traffic congestion and disruption while the flyover remains closed. Over the next two weeks engineers will be on site doing more discovery work on whether it is safe to reopen the flyover and the public will be kept informed of these findings.

A representative from the DfT attended the latest taskforce meeting at County Hall last week, with a message that they recognised the strategic importance of the junction and the need to improve its capacity and capability to support the productivity of Chelmsford’s businesses.

The DfT also received an update on early public engagement work to model different solutions, based on community feedback. The DfT then set out their requirements before considering Government funding for junction improvements.

The taskforce then heard a summary of the workshop discussions which took place in March 2019. Local businesses, members of the public and representatives of community groups attended workshops to discuss the aims of the scheme and their aspirations for the future of the junction and flyover. The workshops helped gain a better understanding of the experience and ideas of a broad range of people in Chelmsford who rely on the Army and Navy junction and flyover every day.

Key points noted at the workshops included congestion, pollution, future growth, condition of flyover, and access issues for walking, cycling and public transport. Cllr Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: “The feedback received from the workshop attendees is invaluable to the progress of the scheme, utilising the knowledge of everyday users to develop options for a solution at the Army and Navy roundabout. This is an opportunity for representative groups and the council to work together to shape and influence the next chapter of the Army and Navy roundabout.”

Cllr Stephen Robinson, Leader of Chelmsford City Council, said: "I am delighted that the Government has acknowledged the importance of the Army and Navy junction and the need for action. But it is important to recognise that this junction is only part of the problem, and solutions need to cover the whole transport network around Chelmsford."

Vicky Ford, MP for Chelmsford, said: “The case for funding a long term solution to the Army and Navy Junction is gaining real momentum, and I am grateful to the DfT for attending the latest taskforce meeting and sharing their perspective, as well as hearing from us on how we are building a consensus across residents, businesses and local government on improving the junction for benefit of all.”

Residents, businesses, and wider organisations interested in the future of the Army and Navy roundabout and flyover are also now able to sign up to a newsletter update on progress on the scheme on the dedicated website.

For more information about the scheme, the Army and Navy Taskforce and to see the details of taskforce meetings, please visit: www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy

However, due to problems with ageing valves, Anglian Water engineers must return to the road to complete more work on the water main, and this work is planned to take place in August, when traffic is traditionally lighter due to families being away for the school holidays.

This will mean the A133 Ipswich Road South must close again on Monday 19th August.

This closure is scheduled to last for two weeks, but Anglian Water engineers are hoping to complete the work and open the road before the end of these two weeks.

Diversions for traffic which have been used for the past few months will remain in place during this next closure.

A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: “We apologise to anyone affected by these closures, particularly because of the unplanned nature of the further closures.

“However, we are required to accept the engineering logic of the situation of these pipes in the ground and have to adapt our road-improving widening work to the progress the utility companies are making.”

With a new Secretary of State for Transport in post, Cllr Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure has written to The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP to urgently push for a quicker decision on this vital junction and speed up investment on a solution to manage Chelmsford traffic.

The decision to close the Army and Navy flyover on 26 July followed the extremely high temperatures of the past week, which caused the base of a supporting column to shift. The flyover is now closed indefinitely, which will put additional pressure on a highways network operating at near capacity.

For over 40 years, Army and Navy Flyover has been a vital piece of infrastructure in Chelmsford even though it was originally built as a temporary structure. 60,000 vehicles use the junction each day with 10,000 passing over the flyover and most importantly, the flyover reaches 97% capacity in the morning peak and 95% in the afternoon peak. The cost of delay to the local economy at the Army and Navy roundabout is already estimated to be £4.85 million per annum and this is likely to be further exacerbated by prolonged closures such as we experienced last year and may experience again now.

The Army and Navy taskforce, established by Essex County Council in 2018, has been working hard to deliver a long-term solution to the Army and Navy junction and eight potential options have been shortlisted and engineers are undertaking detailed work including design, traffic modelling and costings.

Department for Transport official Steve Berry OBE, Head of Highways Maintenance, met the task force last month and the then Minister of State for Transport Michael Ellis MP visited the junction last week. However, following the recent damage due to the hot weather the council is demanding the suggested implementation date of 2021 for a new preferred solution is reconsidered and bought considerably forward.

Parallel Crossings enable cyclists to cross a road safely and with the same level of priority as a zebra crossing gives a pedestrian. They are designed to make cyclists’ journeys easier and more reliable, giving them priority over all traffic on the road.

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure said: “Parallel Crossings are a key part of our efforts to grow cycling in Essex. If we are to limit congestion, keep people and local goods deliveries moving while at the same time reducing pollution, then we must promote cycling as an alternative transport. Part of that effort is making cycling more efficient and safer and therefore a more attractive option.”

There are six parallel crossings currently planned for Essex which will be built either as additions to existing zebra crossings, or as new zebra and parallel combined crossings. Several examples are already working successfully in London, Cambridge, Bournemouth and Nottingham. Just as pedestrians have priority on zebra crossings, so do cyclists on parallel crossings, which are indicated by parallel broken white lines running across the road a few yards from the zebra crossing.

Parallel crossings work the same way as zebra crossings with the cyclist slowing down and ensuring they have been seen by approaching traffic before attempting to cross the road once the traffic has slowed and stopped for them.

Essex County Council has worked with the Essex Association of Local Councils (EALC) to launch a pilot scheme, open to Parish and Town Councils in Essex, where certain off-highway highways maintenance activities are being devolved to the local Parish Council to deliver.

The local County Member, Ann Brown, is scheduled to join Cllr Bentley with Colchester Borough Councillors Lewis Barber, Dennis Willetts and Brian Jarvis.

They are set to be joined by EALC Chairman Cllr Peter Davey and EALC Vice-Chairman Cllr John Gili-Ross along with EALC, Chief Executive Officer, Joy Darby. The Chairman of West Bergholt Parish Council Chris Stevenson is also set to attend, along with other West Bergholt Parish Councillors.

The launch will take place at St Mary's Church Hall, St Mary the Virgin Church, 34 New Church Rd, West Bergholt, Colchester CO6 3JE at 3.30pm on Friday 14th June.

If the weather is suitable, there will be an outside photo/interview opportunity five minutes’ walk away from St Mary’s Church Hall, gathered around the Village Sign, at the junction of Chapel Rd with Colchester Rd, West Bergholt. If the weather is wet, a photo call will be held in the Church Hall.

Focused on lower-level works such as verge and vegetation work, traffic sign maintenance and minor footway repairs, the scheme will allow local councils to improve the street scene quicker than the County Council can.

This will in turn enable the County Council to prioritise the larger, more complex highways work such as road surfacing, that has a wider impact.

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: “Devolution is very important to us at Essex County Council. This pilot, which we are supporting with funding, is about getting decision-making as close to the public as we can for works which are important locally, but not of a top priority for the county as a whole.

“Through the Parish and Town Councils taking part in this pilot, residents can help decide which highways work they want to prioritise to make their area look and feel better.” Peter Davey, Chairman of the Essex Association of Local Councils, said: “The EALC exists to forge and foster partnership-led, informed support for the local councils of Essex, so they can improve their residents and businesses’ economic, social and recreational life.

“This pilot offers a good example of joint-working in an innovative way, with each party using their particular strengths to improve the great county we live in. We are pleased to see Parishes and Towns sign up and will continue to whole-heartedly support the pilot as it develops.”

Chris Stevenson, Chairman of West Bergholt Parish Council, said: “West Bergholt Parish Council is delighted to be a member of the Highways Devolution Pilot and given the opportunity for local people to set the priorities for highway related small works. Since joining the pilot, residents have seen small but important projects implemented both quickly and efficiently by their village handymen and warden.

“We look forward to increasing the number of projects to be undertaken and further strengthening the collaborative relationship between ECC, the EALC and Parish Councils, working together to improve village and community wellbeing."

Funding is available to provide improvements for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists along the A134 Southway corridor and St Botolph’s Circus, which is located on the A134 Southway in central Colchester, at its junction with St Botolph’s Street, Mersea Road and Magdalen Street.

The junction experiences significant congestion, especially during peak hours, with average vehicle speeds below 50 per cent of those during off-peak times when traffic is free flowing.

In addition, pedestrians currently navigate the roundabout via an underpass, which is often the scene for anti-social behaviour.

Essex Highways has launched a six-week engagement period to share the proposals with the public and gather feedback that will inform the design as it progresses. A public information drop-in session will be held at Colchester Town Hall between 2pm and 7pm on Tuesday, 2 July 2019, where people can discuss the proposals with the project team. Cllr Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: “Improving St Botolph’s Circus will make a real difference to journeys in Colchester so we must seize this opportunity to address the issues currently experienced every day.

“I urge users of Colchester’s network to engage with the scheme and have their say on the proposals put forward.”

Key components of the proposals include altering the size and shape of the island in the middle of the roundabout, changing the junction at the entrance to Colchester Magistrates’ Court and Colchester Town station, and infilling the roundabout and subways, providing at-grade crossings for pedestrians and cyclists instead.

The proposed changes will look to significantly enhance capacity, improve congestion and safety and upgrade the aesthetics of the area.

The improvements will also create an area from which to build up future improvements in conjunction with other upgrades to Colchester town centre if and when further funding is available.

For more information and to share your views on the proposals, visit www.essex.gov.uk/stbotolphs.