Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package
Feedback updated 27 May 2022
We asked
An eight-week public consultation took place between August and October 2021 to support the identification of a preferred junction option, inform detailed design and highlight any points for consideration before any final decisions were made about the Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package.
Because of uncertainty caused by the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the consultation had a strong digital focus, complemented by more traditional approaches to make it as accessible as possible.
Two junction layout options were presented to the public - a Hamburger Roundabout option and the Separate T-junctions option – alongside the proposed expansion of Sandon Park and Ride, a new Park and Ride at Widford (two site options) and various wider walking and cycling improvements.
At this stage, all proposals and options outlined as part of the Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package were considered viable and no final decisions had been made.
To capture people’s feedback on the proposals, a consultation survey was developed and included a mixture of questions to assess levels of support for the different elements of the proposed sustainable transport package and capture public feedback. The survey contained 22 questions regarding the proposed Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package and was split into various sections, focusing on each junction option, the proposed walking and cycling improvements, and the Park and Ride proposals.
A series of online and in-person consultation events and activities were also organised and took place during the consultation period
You said
In total, 850 responses to the consultation were received, including 842 survey responses, with the majority (76%) of those from residents of Chelmsford.
Among the key findings were:
- More than half of participants agreed that the proposed package would have a positive impact on Chelmsford (18% strongly agree and 37% agree) while a further 24% described their views on this as neutral.
- 60% of respondents indicated they preferred the hamburger roundabout option, compared with 21% who preferred the separate T-junctions option. 18% indicated they were undecided or had no preference, while 1% did not answer the question.
- 20% of respondents said the hamburger roundabout option, together with the wider measures proposed, would encourage them to travel through the junction using a different mode of transport in the future – compared with 16% for the separate T-junctions option.
- Almost half of respondents agreed the ‘proposed walking and cycling improvements would create a more coherent network for pedestrians and cyclists in Chelmsford’ (12% strongly agree and 35% agree), while a further 32% described their views on the statement as neutral.
- Most respondents (67%) had no preference about their preferred site for a proposed new Park and Ride in Widford, with slightly more respondents preferring the Greenbury Way site (18%) over the London Road site (13%).
- The majority of respondents (60%) supported the idea of expanding Sandon Park and Ride before work got underway at the Army and Navy junction to help manage disruption and improve travel options during construction.
In terms of notable qualitative feedback, there was a good level of support for the proposed junction options and the impact they would be likely to have, however there were also a number of respondents who felt a flyover would be a better option for the junction.
Concerns were also raised about certain elements of the junction options, notably the potential for confusion, the increase in the number of traffic signals, perceived worsening of congestion and traffic flow and the negative impact of proposals to remove existing permit parking bays in Van Diemans Road.
Some respondents felt the proposed walking and cycling measures did not go far enough and there was mixed feedback about proposals to remove the existing subway and replace it with ground-level crossings.
There was good support for the proposed expansion of Sandon Park and Ride and a proposed new Park and Ride site in Widford, although some questioned the demand for these measures, particularly in light of the impacts of the COVID-19 on passenger numbers. A number of concerns were raised about the safety of pupils regularly walking to a school playing field neighbouring the London Road site and needing to cross the road at the proposed entrance to the site.
Our full consultation report is available on the Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package webpage.
We did
The consultation provided a valuable insight into the public’s views about the proposed Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package.
The feedback played an important role in informing the decisions made by the Army and Navy Task Force and Essex County Council, including supporting the identification of a preferred junction option and helping inform detailed design.
In December 2021, having been updated on the initial findings of the public consultation, the Task Force endorsed the hamburger roundabout as the preferred junction option. The hamburger roundabout was the public's preferred option at public consultation and also scored better from a business case and option assessment perspective. In March 2022, Essex County Council's Cabinet formally approved the hamburger roundabout as the preferred option.
In addition to helping us identify a preferred junction option, feedback from the public consultation has also been taken into account as we look to refine our designs. Following concerns about our initial proposals, a revised layout is now being proposed for Van Diemans Road. Under the option included in the consultation, a two-way segregated cycleway was proposed on the eastern side of Van Diemans Road and the existing lanes for general traffic were to be maintained (notably, with two lanes northbound/on the approach to the Army and Navy junction). To provide space to accommodate this, it was proposed that existing permit parking bays in Van Diemans Road would be removed.
However, following concerns raised during the consultation and a site visit with residents and the local Essex County Council member in September 2021, a revised layout of Van Diemans Road is now proposed. Additionally, in response to the site visit with residents and the proposed revised layout of Van Diemans Road, four potential options to improve the Lady Lane junction have also been developed and are being considered. Under the latest proposals for Van Diemans Road, there would be one northbound lane for general traffic (flaring to two at the Army and Navy junction) and a two-way cycleway on the western side of Van Diemans Road, with the existing permit parking bays on Van Diemans re-aligned but retained.
The revised proposals would enable walking and cycling improvements to be made, while slight amendments to the design of the hamburger roundabout and changes to signal timings mean there would still be good peak period journey time improvements for private vehicles on Van Diemans Road. During the evening peak period, journey times would be virtually unchanged from those with the two-lane layout presented at the public consultation and they would actually be improved during the morning peak time. No final decisions have been made on the potential Lady Lane junction options, and both the revised Van Diemans Road layout and potential Lady Lane junction options remain subject to road safety audits.
In addition, we have also made changes to the proposed zebra crossing on the Baddow Road arm of the junction after concerns were made about the visibility and safety of the crossing. Our design has now been amended to include a signalised crossing in this location, with signal timings linked in with the rest of the junction. Our latest modelling shows this is also expected to reduce bus and car journey times on Baddow Road by reducing the frequency at which motorised vehicles are required to stop while still providing regular 'green time' to allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross safely.
Overview
The Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package is an unmissable opportunity to re-design the Army and Navy junction - a crucial gateway to Chelmsford – while also providing better options for people to travel and encouraging safer, greener, and healthier ways of getting around the city.
Our public consultation focused on two junction options – a hamburger roundabout (a roundabout with a road through the centre of it) and separate T-junctions. The proposed Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package also includes the proposed expansion of Sandon Park and Ride, plus a new Park and Ride site to the west of Chelmsford in Widford and significant walking and cycling improvements.
By delivering a comprehensive package of measures that encourage increased walking, cycling and Park and Ride travel, alongside an improved Army and Navy junction, we can provide a long-term and sustainable solution, improving journeys for everyone.
Why your views matter
We thoroughly assessed a number of potential junction layouts and sustainable transport improvements and asked you to help shape the final scheme by completing our public consultation.
We have not made any final decisions, and this was your chance to help us choose a preferred option and refine our final proposals.
What happens next
Now the consultation period has closed, we will analyse your feedback and use it to help inform our decision about a preferred junction option and any potential changes to our proposals.
A public consultation report will be published here and on our project webpage.
There are also various other factors which form part of the decision-making process and these are explained in our consultation materials.
Based on the current programme, we expect to agree a preferred option in winter 2021/2022 and submit an outline business case to the Department for Transport in Summer 2022.
Events
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Live web chat session
From 17 Aug 2021 at 18:00 to 17 Aug 2021 at 21:00Join us in our virtual exhibition space (accessible via our webpage at: www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy) for one of our live web chat sessions to submit written questions and chat live with the project team through the messaging function.
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Live webcast
From 25 Aug 2021 at 19:00 to 25 Aug 2021 at 20:00Our video call-style live webcasts on Microsoft Teams will include a short presentation about our proposals, as well as a question and answer session, where you will be able to submit written questions to the project team. Anyone can attend and you can join via the Microsoft Teams app, online or by phone, but attendees will not be able to use their microphones or web cameras. Instructions about how to join the webcasts
are available on our webpage at: www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy. -
Live web chat session
From 3 Sep 2021 at 10:00 to 3 Sep 2021 at 13:00Join us in our virtual exhibition space (accessible via our webpage at: www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy) for one of our live web chat sessions to submit written questions and chat live with the project team through the messaging function.
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Live webcast
From 9 Sep 2021 at 20:00 to 9 Sep 2021 at 21:00Our video call-style live webcasts on Microsoft Teams will include a short presentation about our proposals, as well as a question and answer session, where you will be able to submit written questions to the project team. Anyone can attend and you can join via the Microsoft Teams app, online or by phone, but attendees will not be able to use their microphones or web cameras. Instructions about how to join the webcasts
are available on our webpage at: www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy. -
Drop-in event
From 11 Sep 2021 at 12:00 to 11 Sep 2021 at 16:00We are hosting a drop-in face-to-face event in Chelmsford city centre. The project team will be available to answer your questions and provide you
with information about the proposals outside Barclays Bank, High Street, Chelmsford. Please be aware that these events
are subject to the Government’s latest COVID-19 guidance and details could change at short notice. Any potential changes would be detailed on our webpage at:
www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy -
Drop-in event
From 16 Sep 2021 at 13:00 to 16 Sep 2021 at 17:00We are hosting a drop-in face-to-face event in Chelmsford city centre. The project team will be available to answer your questions and provide you
with information about the proposals outside Barclays Bank, High Street, Chelmsford. Please be aware that these events
are subject to the Government’s latest COVID-19 guidance and details could change at short notice. Any potential changes would be detailed on our webpage at:
www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy -
Live web chat session
From 18 Sep 2021 at 14:00 to 18 Sep 2021 at 17:00Join us in our virtual exhibition space (accessible via our webpage at: www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy) for one of our live web chat sessions to submit written questions and chat live with the project team through the messaging function.will not be able to use their microphones or web cameras. Instructions about how to join the webcasts
are available on our webpage at: www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy.
Areas
- Chelmsford
Audiences
- Anyone from any background
Interests
- Highways
- Public transport
- Transport planning
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