Last year, we delivered a number of active travel projects across Essex.
The projects were designed to encourage people to use more sustainable modes of transport, including walking and cycling. This is particularly important for shorter journeys.
Highlights from 2023 include:
- giving away over 1,700 bikes in Clacton, Jaywick, Colchester, Basildon and Harwich as part of the Pedal Power project
- launching the new EssexAir website which highlights simple actions people can take to reduce their carbon emissions
- installing new cycling and walking infrastructure in Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester and Wickford
- continuing the e-scooter trial running in Colchester, Chelmsford and Basildon and extending it into Braintree
- launching a new, door-to-door digital, journey-planning tool for residents of ten housing developments, with postcodes that aren’t yet recognised on standard mapping tools
- booking over 5,000 children onto Bikeability training sessions
Councillor Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, said:
I’m proud of the great progress which has been made throughout the year on a number of our active travel projects.
From supporting local cycling groups and charities to working with businesses on their active travel plans, installing new cycling infrastructure to raising awareness of air pollution through a new interactive website, we will continue with our ambitious aim to make Essex safer, greener and healthier when it comes to travel.
2024 will see a number of new initiatives being rolled out as a result of the £5 million in funding we received earlier in the year from Active Travel England which we will use to improve walking and cycling infrastructure across the county.
Find out more about our Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign.
