CYCLING routes in Chelmsford and Harlow are set to be improved with an injection of more than £1.4 million reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

Chelmsford has already benefited from a range of active travel measures through the previous Active Travel Fund rounds, but to date, Harlow has not benefited from any of the previous active traffic fund rounds.

Essex County Council now is set to agree further improvements – In Pump Lane in Chelmsford an existing zebra crossing is set to be upgraded to a toucan crossing along with improvements including resurfacing to the cycle lanes around it.

In Harlow, an uncontrolled crossing on the northern arm of the Howard Way roundabout is set to be replaced by a new toucan crossing with improved safety measures on the southern approach.

A statement as part of a decision with cabinet member for highways Tom Cunningham said: “The overall effect will make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists and, in so doing, deliver improvements to the health and wellbeing of those using the proposed facilities, therefore helping to break down any barriers to accessibility that are key to improving everybody’s life chances and opportunities to improve their wellbeing.”

Essex County Council said the improvements will encourage people to leave their cars at home, and the implementation of new crossings may encourage more people to walk.

The council added: “On the road network, traffic has returned to pre-pandemic flows with car journeys being back to pre-pandemic levels.

“Chelmsford and Harlow have historically suffered from congestion, especially in their central areas around the main area of shopping and services, and also around its schools at the beginning and end of school days.”