WORK to create a new cycle route and footpath to Braintree town centre is set to begin next month.

Essex County Council have said cyclists and walkers will enjoy safer, greener and healthier travel links in the town thanks to the new route.

The works will see improvements made along London Road, Great Notley, from Skiddaw Close to Tortoiseshell Way, to make it safer and easier to walk or cycle into and from the town.

The upgrade forms part of a Braintree ‘Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan’ developed by Essex County Council.

A Government led initiative, it looks to support a move to more sustainable forms of travel and are designed to improve the links to key destinations that people need to get to, whether for work, education, shopping or for other reasons.

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure at Essex County Council said: “In developing the LCWIP, the connection from London Road into Braintree was recognised as requiring improvements.

“While there is currently an off-road cycleway along London Road, it is in need of an upgrade and as a route which crosses a junction and the A120 slip roads, we know that safety is a concern.

“We want to help create safer, greener, healthier transport networks and investing into routes such as London Road, which then link into the town’s wider cycle and walking network, will support more people to rethink how they travel and whether they need to use their car for short journeys.”

The 14-week timetable of works will see improvements from the Skiddaw Close cut through, along London Road to Tortoiseshell Way.

Works include resurfacing and improvements to footpaths an cycleways, the creation of an improved raised junction at Queenborough Lane, moving the existing crossing point on the A120 westbound off slip, better signage and markings and the removal of vegetation.

Throughout the works lane closures, temporary traffic lights and other temporary traffic management will be in place to facilitate the works.

This will include a full road closure at the Queenborough Lane and London Road junction to enable the raised junction to be installed.

The closure will last around one and a half weeks and is planned for March and April.

For more information, visit: essexhighways.org/london-road-braintree.aspx