PLANS for a major cycle route are a step closer following a highways panel meeting.

The proposals would see the cycle route start in Halstead before heading to Earls Colne, Coggeshall and Kelvedon.

It is hoped the new route will eliminate thousands of journeys by car, including commuters from Coggeshall to the Earls Colne industrial estate, as well as creating a safe leisure route for children and adults.

The local highways panel met to consider whether to fund a study by expert consultants Sustrans, who specialise in designing cycle ways.

The panel unanimously approved the allocation of £25,000 from its budget.

The proposal will now go forward to County Hall for the final go-ahead.

Highways panel chairman and Halstead county councillor Chris Siddall said: “I’m delighted that the panel voted unanimously in favour of this proposal.

“It is the first part of wider aspiration to connect Halstead, Earls Colne, Coggeshall and Kelvedon, and moves on to the first step in making this happen”.

The feasibility report is expected to be completed by early spring and will involve a detailed study by Sustrans engineers to establish the most suitable route for the cycle way.

Mr Siddall added: “The success of this project has always been and is very much dependant on being able to bring together three key stakeholders which will make this happen – the landowners at both Marks Hall Estate and the Earls Colne Business Park and Essex County Council.

“I am delighted that I could work as a catalyst to turn this vision into a reality.”

“Sue Lissimore, deputy cabinet member for highways, shared my enthusiasm for to plan and I believe it will be one of the first of its kind in Essex, paving the way for other safe cycling and walking routes throughout the rural parts of Essex.

“If we’re going to expect people to step out of their cars and use cycling and walking as an alternative for short local journeys then we need to provide safe cycling routes and this project does just that.”