NEW walking and cycling schemes are set to be introduced in Braintree.

It is a part of Essex County Council’s Active Travel fund, in a bid to make Essex safer, greener and healthier.

New cycling and walking routes as well as two new school streets will soon be introduced in the town.

Some of the measures that are being introduced include a segregated cycleway on Station Approach, a new compact roundabout at junction of Coggeshall Road and Courtauld Road with zebra crossings on all arms and cycle routes along Coggeshall Road and Panfield Lane

As a result, the hope is to reduce traffic congestion and to cut air pollution.

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Council boss for Highways and Transport Lee Scott, said: “I am delighted to see these new initiatives which will make it easier for more people to walk and cycle, especially for shorter journeys.

“We are confident that our recent active travel consultation has given us a clearer picture of how we can deliver safer, greener and healthier benefits in Braintree, reducing traffic congestion, cutting air pollution and improving road safety in the county.

“This will ultimately benefit everybody as well as the environment, not just now but for future generations.”

In recent consultations, it was found 90 per cent of Essex residents were concerned about traffic congestion, air pollution and road safety.

New measures are also set to be introduced in Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester and Wickford.

Full details of the measures can be found at essexhighways.org/safer-greener-healthier-braintree.