A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme
Summary
The proposed A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme involves creating a new one mile long shared-use walking and cycling path along the A1023 between the Brook Street roundabout (M25 junction 28 roundabout) and Kavanaghs Road in Brentwood.
We (Essex County Council) have developed the proposed scheme on behalf of National Highways, which is required to provide a walking and cycle route from Brentwood, through junction 28 of the M25 and into Havering as part of the consent given for its M25 junction 28 improvements scheme.
The A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme would help provide a safer and much-improved route along the A1023 Brook Street/London Road in Brentwood, encouraging and supporting more people to walk and cycle, particularly for shorter journeys.
The route of the scheme was determined as part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) for National Highways' M25 junction 28 improvements scheme.
Having developed a proposed design, we are now asking for your feedback specifically on our scheme as part of a public consultation. You can have your say by completing our consultation survey at the bottom of this page. If you would like to comment on specific parts of the route, you are also able to leave comments via the map tool or as part of the survey.
What is proposed?
The proposed A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme would involve creating a new shared-use path along the southern side of the A1023 Brook Street/London Road. The path would be approximately one mile long and could be used by people walking or cycling. New signalised crossings would also be provided at key junctions and locations along the route.
Signs and markings would be included at the start and end of the shared-use path and at various points along the route to make it clear it is a shared facility and intended for use by both cyclists and pedestrians. The northern side of the A1023 Brook Street/London Road would remain a footway, for use by pedestrians only.
Why is the scheme needed?
In 2022, consent was given for National Highways' M25 junction 28 improvements scheme and required a cycle route to be provided from Havering, through the junction and into Brentwood. The route for our scheme was agreed at this stage.
There are currently a shortage of safe cycling facilities along the A1023 in Brentwood and between the town and Havering. Where there are existing shared-use paths, they are disjointed, stopping and starting on different sides of the A1023 without controlled crossing facilities. This restricts movement between the areas and makes it more difficult to access local facilities.
As set out in our new draft Essex Cycling Strategy, we want to support more people, of all ages and abilities, to cycle more safely and more often, particularly for shorter journeys. This strategy is part of our wider plans to make Essex safer, greener and healthier, and to provide better and more sustainable travel choices for everyone.
Our proposed scheme would:
- Provide a well-connected and much-improved route between Brentwood and M25 junction 28, helping to encourage more people to walk and cycle, particularly for shorter journeys.
- Create a safer and more pedestrian and cycling friendly environment.
- Tie in with walking and cycling improvements being delivered by National Highways across the Brook Street roundabout (junction 28 of the M25), providing a better connection between Brentwood and Havering.
The planned new route would also form the first part of a proposed wider walking and cycling network in Brentwood, including linking in with elements of planned new Brentwood Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) Routes (east/west route - LCWIP Route 1, and north/south route - LCWIP Route 8) in the future. Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) are network plans for walking and cycling which identify preferred routes and core zones for future development when funding is available.
Our proposals
Creation of new accessible crossing and closure of minor access road
Our scheme would start near the front of the Shell service station on the northern side of the A1023 Brook Street close to the Brook Street roundabout (M25 junction 28 roundabout), where it would tie into a proposed wider route through that junction and into Havering.
After passing in front of the existing Shell service station, the route would continue past the front of the current Mizu restaurant site, where we are proposing to close the minor access road which runs parallel to the A1023 to create the start of the new route. Closing the road would allow us to create a short section of segregated two-way cycleway (separated from pedestrians and vehicles), a separate footway and more green space, as well as prevent the area from being misused for parking. Vehicle access to the Shell service station and Mizu restaurant car park would not be impacted by our proposals. A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) would be needed to stop vehicles from using the minor access road and there would be an additional opportunity to comment on that element of the scheme as part of that process.
A new signalised toucan crossing (a type of crossing which can be used by both people walking or cycling) near the end of the existing minor access road would then enable people to safely cross from the northern side of the A1023 Brook Street to the southern side. The signals for the toucan crossing would be on-demand and are not expected to have a significant impact on traffic. The proposed shared-use path would then run on the southern side of the A1023 through to the end of the route at the junction with Kavanaghs Road.
Creating space for walking and cycling
Wherever possible, the width of the shared-use path would be at least 3m, and in most places at least 3.5m, to provide room for people walking and cycling to safely share the space. The width of the A1023 carriageway would be reduced in places to create space for the shared-use path, however, there would be no changes to the number of traffic lanes or general road layout. The reduced lane width would still be sufficient for buses, heavy goods vehicles and other large vehicles to pass each other safely. The reduction in the width of the carriageway would also help reduce vehicle speeds and create a more pedestrian and cyclist friendly environment.
Maintaining vehicle accesses
There are a number of vehicle accesses for residential properties and commercial premises along the A1023 Brook Street/London Road. These accesses would remain, but we are proposing driveway entrance kerbs, as shown below, meaning the kerbs would ramp up to the height of the shared-use path. This would allow us to keep the shared-use path at a smooth and continuous height rather than having dips in the path where there are vehicle accesses. For higher traffic vehicle access areas, such as some of the commercial premises, we are proposing to use a contrasting surface to alert drivers and highlight the pedestrian and cyclist priority in these areas.
Example of a contrasting surface outside a higher traffic area
Example of a driveway entrance kerb
A safer speed limit for all users
We are proposing to reduce the speed limit on a section of the A1023 Brook Street between the Brook Street roundabout and the start/end of the existing 30mph speed limit near the Nag's Head Lane/Wigley Bush Lane junction. This is currently a national speed limit section but would be reduced to 40mph. This would create a more gradual reduction in the speed of vehicles on the approach into Brentwood and, again, help to create a more pedestrian and cyclist friendly environment. A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) would be required to implement the proposed change in speed limit and there would be an additional opportunity to comment on that element of the scheme as part of that process.
New parking restrictions
Safer crossings at key junctions
At the Nag's Head Lane/Wigley Bush Lane junction, we are proposing to provide signalised toucan crossings with tactile paving on three arms of the junction. This would allow pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross Nag's Head Lane, Wigley Bush Lane and from one side of the A1023 Brook Street to the other.
Similarly, at the Mascalls Lane/Spital Lane junction, we are proposing signalised toucan crossings on three arms of the junction, enabling people to cross Spital Lane and Mascalls Lane, as well as the A1023 London Road.
Our traffic modelling indicates that the new signalised crossings would likely not have a significant impact on traffic flows in the area.
At other junctions along the A1023, including Westwood Avenue, West Park Hill and Kavanaghs Road, we are proposing raised tables with tactile paving (as shown in the artist's impression below). Raised tables are sections which bring the road up to the height of the pavement, making it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to cross and helping to slow vehicles and convey to motorists not to expect priority over other users.
We are also proposing uncontrolled crossing points (no traffic signals) at various locations along the route, with pedestrian refuge islands to help people cross more easily and safely from one side of the A1023 to the other.
Bus stops
All of the existing bus stops along the proposed route would be retained. As requested by Transport for London, which operates the bus services currently using this route, we are proposing to change the westbound bus stop near the Mascalls Lane junction from a bus layby to an in-line (on the carriageway) bus stop. To achieve this safely, we are proposing to move the bus stop approximately 30m to the west (away from the Mascalls Lane junction).
Public consultation
Public consultation
We want to hear the thoughts of people who live, visit or work in Brentwood about our proposed scheme during our public consultation.
While the proposed walking and cycling route was set out during the consent process for National Highways' M25 junction 28 improvements scheme, this consultation provides an opportunity to share your views on specific elements of the proposed scheme and our designs.
Your feedback will then be used to help us refine and finalise our designs, and ensure the scheme best meets the needs of the local community.
The public consultation opened on Thursday 3 October 2024 and will close on Wednesday 13 November 2024.
The best way to tell us what you think is by completing our online consultation survey at the bottom of this page. If you would like to comment on location-specific parts of the route or proposed scheme, you can also leave comments via the map tool, which is also at the bottom of this page. Alternatively, if you are unable to view or use the map tool, these comments can be submitted as part of the survey.
If you would prefer to respond to the consultation by email or post, a printed copy of the survey questions and/or this consultation information can be requested by email at: activetravel@essexhighways.org. Once completed, printed copies of the survey can be posted to the following freepost address (please note the address is case sensitive): FREEPOST ESSEX HIGHWAYS ENGAGEMENT TEAM
We also have printed copies of the survey and our consultation information available from Brentwood Library. Large printed versions of our design drawings and artist's impressions are also on display and available to view at the library throughout the consultation. To view A1 copies of the latest full design drawings, please ask a member of library staff.
Consultation event
We are also running a drop-in consultation event to provide an opportunity for you to meet the project team, ask questions, and view large printed versions of our design drawings. No booking is required.
- Thursday 10 October 2024: 10am - 1pm. Area outside Marks and Spencer, 43-45 High Street, Brentwood, CM14 4RH
We will be joining colleagues from Brentwood Borough Council and partners who will be engaging with the local community and running activities as part of World Mental Health Day.
Contact us
If you have any questions or comments about the A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme or our public consultation, please email us at: activetravel@essexhighways.org
Before you email, you may also wish to check the Questions and Answers section on this page.
A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme - comments
If you would like to comment on specific parts of the route or individual elements of our proposed scheme, you can drop a pin in the relevant area of the map and add a comment. Alternatively, if you are unable to view or use the map tool, these comments can be submitted as part of the survey.
To add a pin to the map, please first click on the ‘add a pin’ icon (plus symbol) within the toolbar to the side of your screen. Then please click on the ‘Location comment’ pin symbol and drag it onto the area of the map where you want to leave a comment. You can then enter and submit your comment. If you need to move your comment once placed, click on the pin and drag to a new location.
Please note that any comments made using the map feature are published on the online map and can be seen by other users. Please avoid including any personal information within your comment.
Project drawings and images
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Artist's impression of shared-use path and raised table at Westwood Avenue junction (3.29 MB) (jpg)
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Artist's impression of segregated cycleway and footway along the A1023 Brook Street (4.26 MB) (jpg)
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Image/drawing 1 - A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme design drawing of full scheme (2.05 MB) (pdf)
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Image/drawing 2 - A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme overview plan showing proposed full route from Havering to Brentwood (7.76 MB) (pdf)
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Image/drawing 3 - Brentwood LCWIP cycling map (623 KB) (pdf)
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Image/drawing 4 - A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme drawing showing proposed two-way cycleway and footway (420 KB) (pdf)
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Image/drawing 5 - Typical section of A1023 Brook Street (east of Holiday Inn access) (2.25 MB) (pdf)
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Image/drawing 6 - Typical section showing A1023 London Road (east of Marygreen Manor Hotel access) (2.09 MB) (pdf)
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Image/drawing 7 - A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme drawing showing proposed new speed limit (976 KB) (pdf)
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Image/drawing 8 - A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme drawing showing Nag's Head Lane and Wigley Bush Lane junction (312 KB) (pdf)
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Image/drawing 9 - A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme drawing showing Mascalls Lane and Spital Lane junction (288 KB) (pdf)
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Image/drawing 10 - A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme drawing showing proposed relocation of westbound bus stop near Mascalls Lane junction.pdf (301 KB) (pdf)
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A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme latest full set of design drawings (3.05 MB) (pdf)
