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Have your say on safer, greener, healthier travel in Essex

28th May 2021
Posted by Aston Avery

Residents are being invited to give their views on safer, greener, healthier cycling and walking routes in five towns across the county with the launch of the Active Travel Essex consultation.

Working in partnership with city, borough and district councils as well as local community and accessibility groups, the county council is today publishing the plans which will see the reallocation of road space to make more room for everybody to walk and cycle safely. As more people take up walking and cycling and avoid using their cars for short trips, it will mean fewer vehicles on the road and ease congestion for those who have no alternative but to drive, making their journeys more reliable and efficient.

Active Travel Essex is one of a number of council initiatives to transform local cycling and walking routes and the consultation, covering schemes in Brentwood, Braintree, Chelmsford, Colchester and Wickford, will run until 2nd July. The plans also feature schemes to improve local neighbourhoods and make it easier and safer to walk and cycle to and from school.

Cllr Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, said:

“We want Essex to be the walking and cycling county – a safer, greener, healthier place where we don’t automatically jump in the car, especially for shorter journeys.

“With over 90% of Essex residents recently telling us that they were concerned about traffic congestion, air pollution and road safety, our ambitious aim is to make the transport network safer, greener and healthier, specifically designed for people who cycle and walk.

“With input from Essex residents, we can help transform the town centres and surrounding neighbourhoods into thriving and healthier areas with fewer cars but more people cycling and walking, allowing us all to breathe cleaner air and enjoy a better way of life.”

As well as the feedback from the consultation, ECC will also be gathering data from additional sources such as polling, focus groups and traffic counts and will use all the findings to agree next steps.

To find out more and give your feedback, please visit: https://www.essexhighways.org/active-travel-fund