Trains, buses, and automobiles: Residents urged to have their say on new transport strategy for the Maldon District

By Ben Shahrabi 2nd Aug 2023

Local News by Ben Shahrabi 2nd Aug 2023

Essex Highways and Maldon District Council are inviting the public to get involved with a new transport strategy, aimed at improving local services and reducing car use.

The 'Maldon Future Transport' strategy consultation is open until August 13. It looks at how residents travel in the district, the journeys made and what the priorities should be in years to come.

Councillor Lesley Wagland OBE, Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: "Our aim is for everyone to have the genuine choice of how to move around the district and further afield and to give people the option to leave the car at home."

Under the proposal, residents would be encouraged to use public transport more often. However, Essex Highways says improvements need to be made to ensure these alternatives offer a reliable and efficient travel experience.

A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: "The bus network is fragmented with no single operator serving the district with limited evening services and on Sundays.

"Poor network connectivity also means that some areas remain disconnected from key sites, such as rail stations on the Crouch Valley Line. This makes buses a less viable travel option for commuters, with only 2 per cent of main trips to work made by bus."

The future transport strategy will focus on the type of areas within the district, which it is hoped will be achieved through creating 'zones'. (Credit: Essex Highways)

Reportedly, up to 53,000 car trips could be removed from the road network every week if drivers used an alternative form of transport twice a week.

Furthermore, more regular train services on the Crouch Valley Line and improved transport links from Maldon to nearby stations could encourage more residents to travel via rail.

Census data shows that 71 per cent of residents travel to work by car or van. Meanwhile, sustainable travel options including trains, buses, cycling and walking currently only make up 20 per cent of all commutes. Nine per cent are made on foot, which is lower than the Essex average. Only two per cent commute by bike.

Once finalised, the strategy will form a blueprint that will be used to identify, appraise, and assess potential highway schemes, and provide evidence for funding bids. It can be viewed on the Essex Highways website.

Residents and businesses have until Sunday 13 August to provide comments. Responses can be submitted via the online survey link, sent in via freepost or via email.