News releases and highways newsletters

Safer, Greener, Healthier walking and cycling upgrade to start in Braintree this month

Cyclists and walkers will enjoy Safer, Greener and Healthier travel links to Braintree town centre thanks to work to create a new cycle route and footpath which begins this month.

The works will see improvements made along London Road, Great Notley, from Skiddaw Close to Tortoiseshell Way, to make it safer and easier to walk or cycle into and from the town.

The upgrade forms part of a Braintree ‘Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan’ (LCWIP) developed by Essex County Council.

A Government led initiative, LCWIPS look to support a move to more sustainable forms of travel, particularly for shorter journeys through the creation of a long-term plan. They are designed to improve the links to key destinations that people need to get to, whether for work, education, shopping or for other reasons.

Coronavirus: Essex Highways Status

England is under national lockdown: stay at home restrictions. Please avoid travelling unless your journey is essential.

Essex Highways continues to carry out carry out key highway repairs, keeping our network safe and serviceable for essential use. We are also still delivering our roads improvement building programme. We continue to follow existing social distancing measures to maintain public and workforce safety.

Warning to drivers of extreme freezing temperatures tonight.

With temperatures forecast to plummet to minus 10 degrees tonight drivers are being warned by Essex Highways to take extra care as the extreme freeze means road salt could become less effective.

The minimum road surface temperature in Essex is expected to reach minus ten (-10) tonight, possibly lower.

The salt which many highway authorities around the country spreads on roads starts to become less effective below minus seven (-7) degrees.

January 2021 edition of Highways Highlights released

The January 2021 edition of Highways Highlights is now available. The Essex newsletter for all things highways.  Read full story

Sandon and Colchester Park and Ride Services Temporary Closure

A decision has been taken to suspend the Sandon and Colchester Park and Ride services from Saturday 6 February due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation.

The suspension of the service is in response to strict government guidance urging people to stay in their homes and only travel when absolutely necessary, to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, as well as dramatically reduced numbers of people using the service.

The service will remain closed until further notice.

Chelmer Valley Park and Ride Temporary Closure

A decision has been taken to suspend the Chelmer Valley Park and Ride service from Saturday 30 January due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation.

The suspension of the service is in response to strict government guidance urging people to stay in their homes and only travel when absolutely necessary to prevent the spread of Coronavirus as well dramatically reduced numbers of people using the service.

The service will remain closed until further notice.

Shortlist of junction improvement options confirmed as part of Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package

Plans to transform the way people travel in Chelmsford have moved a step closer after the expected shortlist of improvement options for the Army and Navy junction was agreed ahead of public consultation in the summer.

Essex County Council has been thoroughly evaluating four options for the junction - a hamburger roundabout, enlarged roundabout, two-way flyover and separate T-junctions. Assessment has looked at the effects on congestion, journey times and use of sustainable modes of transport, as well as environmental and construction impacts.

Essex Highways urges residents to avoid travelling unless necessary

Essex Highways is aware of the flooding and high-water levels affecting travel across the county and urges residents to avoid travelling unless necessary.

Among the reports of roads flooded by lunchtime today (Thursday) were the A127 approaching the M25 near Warley, and roads in Colne Engaine, Bures and Rayne, with further reports coming in of other roads becoming impassable.

Rapid Transit works to begin on Northern Approach

Ground Investigation works are due to commence along Northern Approach in order to help develop the ongoing design of the new Colchester Rapid Transit System lane.

The works are expected to take about 3 or 4 weeks and will include boreholes, trial trenches and observation pits, with the team taking various samples and installing equipment in order to monitor groundwater.

Essex road holds the key to post-Brexit gateway

A dual carriageway upgrade of the A120 is vital to establish a post-Brexit gateway between the UK and the rest of the world.

With the road serving the international port of Harwich as well as Stansted Airport, Essex County Council says there must be no delay in starting the improvement scheme, from Braintree to the A12, which would bring huge economic benefit to the county.