Questions and Answers

The scheme will be fully funded by National Highways Designated Funds. This was agreed after we (Essex County Council, with the support of Transport for London and London Borough of Havering) successfully made the case for improved walking and cycling facilities as part of National Highways’ M25 Junction 28 Improvements project. Funding has already been provided to cover the development of the scheme to date, while we are currently in the process of agreeing the funding needed for construction.

The funding available is specifically to help improve walking and cycling connections between Brentwood and Havering, as part of the M25 Junction 28 Improvements project. The funding cannot be used for any other purposes, such as improving alternative walking and cycling routes in Brentwood or maintaining roads and footways.

While we strongly support providing segregated cycling facilities wherever possible and fully appreciate the benefits, there is limited space or opportunities along sections of the A1023 Brook Street/London Road and it would require us to remove right-turn traffic lanes. Based on current cycling usage along the route, we would also struggle to make the case for the funding likely to be needed to provide segregated facilities.

We are proposing to introduce new double yellow lines along both sides of the A1023 Brook Street/London Road from the proposed toucan crossing near Vicarage Close to Westwood Avenue.

This is to prevent drivers from parking along the route and restricting use of the proposed new shared-use path. This will also make the road safer for all users by avoiding the need for vehicles to temporarily move into the oncoming traffic lane to pass parked vehicles.

Double yellow lines mean 'no waiting at any time' and only allow parking in specific instances. You can load or unload on them providing it is continuous. Blue badge holders can also park on them for up to three hours.

South Essex Parking Partnership is responsible for parking enforcement and the administration of parking restrictions in Brentwood.

Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) will be required to implement the proposed parking restrictions and there will be an additional opportunity to comment as part of that process.

All existing designated parking along the route will not be affected.

We are proposing to reduce the width of the road along the A1023 in certain areas of the scheme. This will ensure we have enough space to provide a required minimum 3m wide shared-use path along the majority of the route, allowing people walking and cycling to pass each other more easily and safely. Alongside a proposed reduction in the speed limit closer to the M25 junction 28 roundabout, it will also help reduce vehicle speeds and create a more pedestrian and cycling friendly environment. 

Following feedback during our public consultation, we are now proposing to make less significant reductions to the widths of the carriageway. We do not anticipate that the width reduction will reduce the capacity of the road, so traffic flows will not increase as a result.

We have worked hard to limit the removal of existing vegetation as much as possible by highlighting key constraints early in the development of the scheme. Approximately five trees have been identified for removal on health and safety grounds because of their declining health. Due to their location, and considering the overall landscape, character and visual quality of the surrounding area, replacement planting has not been deemed necessary. 

Sections of overgrown scrub vegetation along the scheme will also be cut back to the highway boundary in order to enable the construction of the shared-use path. The crowns of several trees will also be lifted/reduced in order to provide appropriate clearance for cyclists and pedestrians. 

All arboricultural works will be carried out in accordance with best practice to protect the health of trees within and adjacent to the scheme area.

We are currently proposing to remove the westbound bus layby near the junction with Mascalls Lane and instead provide an in-carriageway bus stop approximately 30m west of the current stop. However, this element of our design is currently being considered following feedback during the public consultation. An in-carriageway bus stop was specifically requested by Transport for London, which oversees bus services using this stop, and would help support the operation of its bus services. It would also provide additional space for the shared-use path in this area and bus passengers waiting at the stop. We have engaged with the Essex County Council passenger transport team and Transport for London to consider options and will continue to do so to ensure the scheme best meets the needs of all transport users. We are not proposing changes to any other bus stops along the route.

We are proposing to reduce the speed limit on a section of the A1023 between the Brook Street roundabout (M25 junction 28 roundabout) and the start of the existing 30mph speed limit on the approach to the Nag's Head Lane/Wigley Bush Lane junction. This is currently a national speed limit section but will be reduced to 40mph. While our speed surveys suggest current speeds on this section are already about 40mph on average, the new speed limit will help reinforce this at all times of the day and support us in making the area safer and more pedestrian and cyclist friendly.

The proposed shared-use walking and cycling path along the A1023 will now stop/start at Westwood Avenue, where people who are cycling will either continue on carriageway via the A1023 towards the town centre or via Westwood Avenue towards Brentwood Railway Station. People who are walking will continue their journeys via existing footways. Signs and road markings will be introduced on Westwood Avenue to highlight this on-carriageway section of the cycling route. By stopping/starting the shared-use path at the junction with Westwood Avenue, people who are walking and cycling will no longer share the path on the steepest section of the route between Westwood Avenue and Kavanaghs Road, where people were concerned cyclists coming down the hill at speed could present a safety risk to pedestrians. In addition, there will not be cyclists on the section of the route where there are more frequent driveway entrances. Reducing the length of the shared-use path will also help reduce the overall cost of the scheme.

The route forms the first part of a proposed wider future walking and cycling network in Brentwood, including a planned new east/west route between Havering and Brentwood known as Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) Route 1. It is hoped the remaining sections of the wider route can be delivered in the future, subject to further agreement and funding. 

While there is insufficient funding available to continue the current scheme to either Brentwood High Street or Brentwood Railway Station, we are considering potential additional route improvements beyond Westwood Avenue to the railway station, as well as potential cycle parking at the station, as part of a separate project. In the meantime, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to continue from Westwood Avenue to Brentwood Railway Station, the town centre and other destinations via existing facilities.

We are currently in the process of agreeing the funding needed to progress the scheme with National Highways. Based on the current indicative programme, construction of the scheme is currently expected to start in spring 2027 and take approximately 12 months to complete. 

Construction will be carefully managed to minimise the impact and disruption for local residents and businesses. More details will be established once a contractor is appointed to construct the scheme.