Transforming Active Travel in Essex
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Safer, greener, healthier TRANSFORMING ACTIVE TRAVEL IN ESSEX www.essex.gov.uk/safer-greener-healthier ESSEX AT THE FOREFRONT OF SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT In August 2020, Essex County of our road space to dramatically sustainable modes, particularly Council (ECC) submitted an raise cycling and walking levels at for shorter journeys. It will take ambitious and transformational a rapid pace. 160,000 people out of their cars bid for funding from the and into active travel. Our bid Department for Transport to OUR AMBITIOUS STRATEGIES will support the delivery of this create safe walking and cycling Our bid builds upon our existing target and enable Essex to look routes in Essex. bold strategies. In 2016, Essex beyond it, to achieve even more published the ambitious Cycling significant changes in people’s We have designed five schemes Strategy, mirroring the UK’s travel choices. across Basildon (Wickford), target of doubling cycling levels Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford by 2025, establishing cycling as Our ambition for walking and and Colchester which will improve the ‘normal’ mode of travel for cycling in Essex is supported the lives of residents, reduce shorter journeys. In 2019 Essex across the political spectrum. congestion and ensure towns refreshed its innovative Walking The schemes have been and cities are Safer, Greener and Strategy, putting walking front developed collaboratively with our Healthier. and centre, ensuring is becomes district council colleagues and are ‘Easy, Safe and Normal’. supported by the ECC Cabinet. The proposals build on recent experience gained from the Our earlier schemes provide the We have worked closely Phase 1 emergency measures perfect foundation on which our with the districts and key set up in several towns and new schemes will build, not only stakeholders to identify a series cities across Essex. They by encouraging socially distanced of transformational measures present a unique opportunity walking and cycling, but also to deliver the objectives of this for us to accelerate the planned accelerating our plans to deliver fund, selected through a data- transformation of our transport connected active mode networks led approach. This collaboration networks and to kick-start a in the main urban areas and will continue over the next strong recovery for the County. beyond. few months as we finalise the proposals Our aspiration extends much CHANGING BEHAVIOURS further, but we have prioritised ECC has demonstrated its A SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT these locations as key to driving absolute commitment to the BLUEPRINT behaviour change quickly and proposals by launching a The Phase 2 proposals build successfully. countywide behavioural change upon everything Essex has programme called ‘Stop.Swap. achieved so far. They act as OUR AMBITION Go!’. a blueprint for all our future Our schemes are radical. aspirations, delivering step- Reallocating road space The programme encourages change in active travel, confirming to create space for more people to rethink their travel Essex’s place at the forefront of walking and cycling are key to habits and switch to more sustainable transport. transformational change. These schemes will change the way residents use and think about their streets - taking advantage of and spending time in the vibrant and attractive streets, where motorised traffic no longer dominates. Our schemes are impactful. They will provide a step change in the quality of our streets, create the ideal conditions for further investment and lay the foundations for future phases of transformational change. Our proposals embrace ideas for a radical and transformational use BASILDON (WICKFORD) Map details correct as at August 13 2020 BASILDON (WICKFORD) • A proposed trial of a Low Traffic BRAINTREE The scheme is the first part of Neighbourhood - residential ECC proposes to implement a long-term plan to create an areas which can benefit from the County’s first “Dutch improved cycle link between 20mph zones and complimentary Style” roundabout, which Wickford and Basildon, which measures such as enhanced gives greater priority to will eventually enhance the signs, extended footways and cycling and walking on one whole cycle and walking other traffic calming measures to of the key routes in the network across Basildon improve streets to make it easier town. This helps achieve borough. to walk and cycle. the objectives contained in • A ‘School Streets’ approach Braintree’s Cycling Action This first section of route involves is proposed so that only those Plan, particularly the need for a series of improvements through walking and cycling are able connected routes. residential areas from Nevendon to access the street outside of Road in the South of the town schools at starting and finishing The scheme will provide a cohesive to Wickford town centre and the times. network that connects safely and Wickford railway station. directly into the existing network The route is also along a bus of footpaths and cycle way routes; The proposals involve an corridor, and as well as improving to and from new developments to improved cycling and walking access to bus stops, the the main commuter, community route approximately 1.1 miles scheme will seek to improve bus and retail centres and recreational (1.8 kms) in length and include: operations in the town. links. This ensures that people • Junction improvements and are encouraged to walk or cycle crossing improvements to for short local journeys and avoid improve walking and cycling. using the car. BRAINTREE Map details correct as at August 13 2020 The scheme is based on two routes approximately 0.3 miles (0.5 kms) in residential areas and 20 mph speed that head towards the town centre, length, starting at the railway station limits to make streets safer for one running from East to West and on Station Approach, progressing walking and cycling. the other from South to North, and along South Street, Fairfield Road, enhances improvements established and ending at the junction of The scheme also proposes a as part of the initial emergency Manor Street in the town centre. ‘School Streets’ approach so that measures. This route connects to both the only those walking and cycling are • The East-West cycling and walking existing provisions and proposed able to access the street outside route is approximately 0.9 miles improvements to the South, providing of schools at the start and finishing (1.4 kms) in length, starting at the improved and wider connectivity with times of the school day. The double double mini-roundabout junction of the centre of the town. mini-roundabout at the junction of Courtauld Road with Coggeshall Courtauld Road and Coggeshall Road, progressing along Coggeshall These routes involve both permanent Road will be converted to a ‘Dutch- Road, Bank Street and Panfield and temporary segregated cycle style’ roundabout. The improvements Lane ending at the roundabout routes, pavement widening, junction in Station Approach are tied to other junction of Panfield Lane with Porters improvements to benefit walking improvements the Council is making Field. and cycling, crossing improvements, for bus operation in the area • The South-North route is lower traffic volumes through around the train station. BRENTWOOD Map details correct as at August 13 2020 BRENTWOOD • Permanent segregated to walk and cycle. The scheme involves a series cycling route on both sides of • It is proposed that there will be of improvements along the the Shenfield Road, the route designated ‘School Street’ zones A1023 Shenfield Road and will extend to the junction with either side of the route to further Brentwood High Street. The Crescent Drive, where a new encourage sustainable travel in route crosses the busy Wilsons ‘Toucan’ crossing (for both walking the area. Corner double mini-roundabout and cycling) will be introduced. • We will consider the possibility and along Shenfield Road with • Connection to an existing off- of a one-way system along part permanent segregated cycling road cycle route along Chelmsford of Sawyers Hall Lane in order provision provided on both Road past Shenfield High School. to provide greater space for sides of the road. • At the eastern end of the school children to travel to and corridor towards Shenfield station, from school sustainably, whilst at The route provides a direct walking and cycling is facilitated the same time facilitating social connection between the urban with a Low Traffic Neighbourhood distancing. Sawyers Hall Lane centres of Shenfield and - residential areas which can to the north, and Middleton Hall Brentwood, completing a much- benefit from 20mph zones Lane to the south, both house needed link in the cycle corridor. and complimentary measures clusters of schools and could be such as enhanced signs, designated as ‘School Street’ The proposed route provides a extended footways and other zones. missing link in the network, and traffic calming measures to includes: improve streets to make it easier CHELMSFORD ROUTE 1 Map details correct as at August 13 2020 CHELMSFORD ROUTE 1 more walking through changes to Street’ zone, covering either side The proposed scheme is parking provision and increased of the route so that only those based on two routes that footways. The route continues walking and cycling are able to form a complete ‘C’ shape along Trinity Road and meets access the street outside of the around the City centre – one Springfield Road, where there is school at starting and finishing running from the East to the a short section before it turns