THE Epping Forest Local Highways Panel has allocated the final £125,000 to the cost of a signal-controlled crossing on The Crooked Mile near to the junction with Saxon Way, Waltham Abbey.

This follows a previous allocation of £52,000 from their 2012/13 budget for the scheme, which is to cost £177,000 in total.

The scheme is one of 36 Epping Forest Local Highways Panel recommendations signed off this month: five safer roads (casualty reduction) schemes, four passenger transport schemes, two public rights of way schemes and 25 traffic management improvement schemes.

County Councillor Rodney L Bass, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “Local knowledge has led to a detailed list of schemes that will improve life for local people.”

Together the 36 schemes represent over £360,000 (approximately 52 per cent) of the panel’s £700,000 2014/15 budget.

Councillor John Knapman, Chairman of the Epping Forest Local Highways Panel, said: “Whether it is newly delivered traffic lights in Chigwell or a newly agreed crossing for The Crooked Mile in Waltham Abbey, these local schemes make real safety improvements to Epping Forest roads.”