Solving Chelmsford's traffic conundrum: How your views could be used

A CITYWIDE survey is under way to work out how traffic in Chelmsford could be managed to cut down on delays and congestion.

Essex County Council is undertaking the study of people's travel habits over a two-and-a-half week period, usiing questionnaires, as well as counts on public transport, in car parks, and cyclists using the roads.

The roll-out of the survey comes as the Government announces a grant of £442 million to the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, a proportion of which will be used to fund major transport improvements across the region.

Witham MP Priti Patel, who has campaigned alongside the council for greater investment in the county's transport infrastructure, said: "Our roads need upgrading to support economic growth and the investment announced is good news for our county.

"Most businesses which trade and export have problems with delays and congestion, so any action to alleviate these issues will be welcomed.

"We have all worked together and campaigned hard for the investment from the Government that has been announced.

"But we will carry on campaigning to secure more improvements for our roads as better roads in Essex will mean a stronger economy for Britain."

Among the package of transport schemes expected to benefit from this investment will be plans to address bottlenecks on the A12 to help handle a rise in commuters, who are only expected to increase further with the construction of the 3,600-home Beaulieu development in Chelmsford.

Included in the other 32 schemes planned across the south-east region, which are collectively expected to support up to 35,000 new jobs, 18,000 new homes and more than £100 million in private investment, are widening works along the A13, improvements to the A131 between Chelmsford Braintree, and the A414 from Harlow to Chelmsford.

Peter Jones is chairman of SE LEP, a business-led partnership that works to improve the economy in East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock

He said: "This initial funding is tremendously good news for our businesses and residents – addressing years of under-investment in the south east's transport network.

"It's not only a matter of improving connectivity around the area but providing links which open up major new sites for housing and business development."

And with the launch of the traffic survey aimed at Chelmsford's residents on July 8 it is hoped bids for further national funding can be tailored to the city's needs.

But just what those proposals should be for future investment in our transport network remains entirely up for grabs.

City councillor Ron Alcock is sticking up for his own council ward of Chelmer Village when it comes to where priorities for improvement lie.

"There are always problems with Chelmer and I have written to the county council telling it to prioritise," he said.

"The congestion is horrendous at the Chelmer Village Retail Park, especially around the Army & Navy roundabout. It is very difficult to negotiate.

"I think they should consider another entrance to the retail park to reduce the congestion there.

"Hopefully, the flyover will be built and the traffic will go in both directions at the same time."

For others concern over potholes and defects in local roads is their major problem.

John Ford, who runs the Chelmsford Youth Cycling club, said "The road conditions are pretty poor. We usually cycle off-road but we use the roads to get there in the first place. There are lots of potholes and they seem to have worsened.

"Yes, the council is strapped for cash, but I feel that it could do more. Highwood Road needs improving. It's been bad for a few years and nothing has been done."

However, leader of the city council Roy Whitehead was quick to defend the work already being carried out in this area by the county council highways department.

He told the Chronicle: "There is definitely some evidence that shows improvements are happening, there is a lot to be dealt with.

"It is still the number one topic and as it is summer improvements will be made. I have seen more teams out patching up potholes that haven't been repaired before, trying to improve the situation."

And indeed for some residents there is a sense of acceptance that living in a growing city will inevitably lead to sitting in queues on occasion.

"Going through the centre of Chelmsford can be a challenge on some evenings but rarely am I stuck for an excessive period of time," said Denis O'Brien, vice-principal at Tabor Academy in Braintree.

"Work on the Army and Navy flyover will hopefully improve this situation.

"However, the infrastructure of Chelmsford is quite limited in its ability to deal with increasing demand. I chose to live in the heart of a city and accept that there will be queues at certain times."

Residents can assist with the information used for future funding bids by answering questionnaires carried out by staff from the county council at the train station, on buses, in car parks, at cycle parks, and at the BP Service Station, Colchester Road, near the A12.

Questions will relate to mode and timing of transport around the city.