The Parish Council would like to draw your attention to this consultation on the Connecting Essex Walking & Cycling Networks. North West Essex is not particularly well served by walking & cycling infrastructure, and the Parish Council know that there are many people in the Parish who are concerned about better provision for walkers / pedestrians and cyclists. Please take the surveys to have your say.
John Broomfield, john.broomfield@littlebury.org.uk
Parish Councillor.
There are two separate surveys, one for Essex CC about cycling provision in Uttlesford, and a separate one from Uttlesford DC about specific provision planned. Please complete both for maximum impact.
To shortcut to the surveys directly use these links
Essex CC Connecting Essex – cycling and walking survey
UDC Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan survey
There is more information in the consultation announcement text below and the pages in the links:
“Today we have launched a consultation asking residents to give us their views on our proposed Connecting Essex cycling network. The consultation will end on the 10th of January 2024. We particularly want to hear from residents about whether the routes provide the right strategic links and whether there are any important routes not shown.
The page in the link below takes you to the consultation survey and video which explains, what a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan is; and why we want to hear the views of residents and businesses about how to connect together local cycling networks across the county to gradually create a cohesive cycling network that will link a number of towns and villages across Essex. In addition, residents of Uttlesford are being asked for their feedback on a number of cycling and walking routes in their area.
Residents have already given feedback on routes in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Colchester, Rochford, Witham, Maldon, Waltham Abbey, Loughton (including Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell), Jaywick/Clacton and Harwich/Dovercourt. Essex County Council’s Safer, Greener, Healthier team now want to hear the views of residents about the remaining networks in Essex which will connect all the routes together as well as link up rural areas. Our ambition is to have an Essex-wide final network of potential walking and cycling routes which can be developed in the future.
The routes are designed to create a network of sustainable, interconnected linking routes which enable more walking and cycling. They ensure a long-term approach is taken for planning future investment and are reviewed approximately every three years as part of the Government’s Gear Change strategy. By identifying key routes and then seeking funding for high quality infrastructure, we hope that cycling and walking will become the safe and easy choice for travelling, either for shorter, local journeys or as part of a longer one. By switching to more sustainable forms of travel, residents will have more choice in how they get around.
We are keen that local communities and stakeholders have their say and help us shape the future of their streets and would ask that you promote the consultation and encourage as many participants as possible to respond. The consultation can be found at:
Connecting Essex through cycling | Safer, Greener, Healthier
Uttlesford Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan | Safer, Greener, Healthier
Here is a link to our Safer Greener Healthier Facebook page and the post for this consultation which can be shared:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JCCAA3TeC
If you have any queries or would like to receive more content to share on your social media platforms or in your newsletters (if you already have not received any), please either email myself or the Safer, Greener, Healthier mailbox.
Many thanks for your support in helping us make Essex safer, greener, and healthier“
There certainly is a lack of public footpaths in the area
Thank you for your interest, Margaret. Please be sure to make your voice heard via the surveys!
1. The footpath between Littlebury and Saffron Walden ( windmill Hill) is very narrow and often overgrown . Cars pass in excess of 50mph, within inches of the kerb. It could be made safer by properly cutting into the vegetation and restoring it to full width.
2. I’d like to cycle into Saffron Walden from Littlebury. I’m not a sport cyclist. The roads are fast and terrifying, so I don’t even try. A safe cycle path for non Lycra , less fit, casual cyclists would be appreciated. My suggestion would be around/ through the edge of land owned by Audley end estate/ Saffron Walden Golf club- just a 2 metre wide strip would be enough.
3 The footpath between Littlebury Audley End House is consistently pot holed and has narrowed considerably over the past 20 years due to the spread of the grass on both sides. Please cut right into the grass/ weeds on both sides( rather than just cutting the grass height) – thus will restore the oath to full width.. The tarmac underneath has been smothered for years.
Jo,
These are very useful observations. Did you enter these comments on the Uttlesford survey?
You can add a pin on to the interactive map at https://letstalkessexsustainabletravel.co.uk/uttlesford-lcwip/places/uttlesford-saffron-walden-and-great-dunmow-cycling-network with a comment. I did this on the walking map
Ian
I cycle from Littlebury Green to Saffron Walden every Saturday to shop for groceries. I agree with what Joanna says. It’s not about licra clad sport cyclists, its about ordinary people having the choice to use a bike without threat to their life from cars, in what is after all a shared space, a public road.
I use Chestnut Avenue where the main problem is the appalling state of the road edges from over-wide, heavy farm equipment. Cyclists are often forced into these pot-holed water filled margins by traffic squeezing past on a narrow road. There is also a very dangerous pothole in the middle of the road, on the approach to the Alderley End scenic bridge.
There is no easy way to get from the market square to the start of Gold Street with a bike. Allowing bikes to go contra-flow along Market Row would be helpful.
I would say that the provision of footpaths let alone cycle ways anywhere near Alderley End is very poor. A cycle trip to Cambridge only starts to get comfortable when one is in Cambridgeshire and that provision is poor compared to much of Europe. So there is plenty to do.
Thank you for your comments, Simon. This is exactly the type of feedback that we are looking for. Please make sure that you share your thoughts with ECC through the survey(s)!
Thank you for your comments, Simon. This is exactly the type of feedback that we are looking for. Please make sure that you share your thoughts with ECC through the survey(s)!
Brilliant opportunity to develop cycle and walking routes, thank you team. I have made some suggestions on the interactive map. . I have got shouted at many times by Geoff For crossing the field between Littlebury Green Road and Chestnut Avenue using alternative paths to the footpath that cuts down the middle.
Many thanks Mandy, your input is appreciated.