FAQs

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan. 

The LCWIPs are designed to plan cycling and walking networks over time (usually a ten-year period) and are an important step, not only for Essex to become a safer, greener, and healthier county but also to enable residents to have the opportunity to become more active by cycling and walking.

An LCWIP is essential for securing government funding for walking and cycling schemes. This funding allows walking and cycling networks to be created linking residential neighbourhoods with key destinations but also ensures that there is a plan for the development of infrastructure on selected routes.

With improved infrastructure over time, there is likely to be an increase of people either walking or cycling which leads to improvements in public health and wellbeing. Furthermore, as the routes are developed there may be opportunities to not only enhance accessibility but also to help make streets attractive as thriving places.

The LCWIPs will help identify key routes thereby enabling people of all abilities the opportunity to walk and cycle with confidence and comfort. By having high quality routes in place, we can unlock the potential to improve health and wellbeing and decrease air pollution and congestion whilst boosting local economy.

The LCWIPs are 10-year plans but reviewed around every three years as part of the Government’s Gear Change strategy. Essex County Council is planning to approve the LCWIP networks in 2024.

We will ensure that residents are kept updated throughout the process and work with residents, communities, and businesses so that they understand what is happening in their local area.

The purpose of these consultations is to help Essex County Council prioritise the routes along the identified networks in order to secure future government funding. The development of individual schemes along the networks themselves is a separate process and will be subject to funding being made available. The design work will be undertaken on a scheme-by-scheme basis, with consultation on the proposed infrastructure being undertaken at the earliest opportunity.

Delivery of the routes is subject to scheme feasibility and design as well as successful funding applications.

Essex County Council has no plans for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) which limit “through” traffic in residential neighbourhoods. However, any initiative we undertake in future around increasing active travel in neighbourhoods will focus on understanding how infrastructure and design can encourage more walking, wheeling, and cycling by making it safer and easier to move around.

Enabling more people to choose to walk or cycle where appropriate, rather than use their cars for shorter trips, encourages more physical activity, boosts both physical and mental health and helps everyone meet local and national climate objectives. 

The funding we receive from Active Travel England (ATE) cannot be spent on pothole repairs. Potholes are funded separately. If you wish to report a pothole, please use the link below or contact your relevant county councillor.

Potholes - Essex County Council (essexhighways.org)

The following link will take you to ECCs page with an announcement on the funding for road resurfacing. 

£25 million to change the face of Essex's road network | Essex County Council