Safer Greener Healthier

Heading to the Colchester Summer Series? Travel smarter and make your journey part of a more sustainable Essex.

From 20 to 29 August, Castle Park will welcome thousands of visitors for a fantastic programme of live music.

With large events placing additional pressure on city centre roads and parking, choosing sustainable travel options can help reduce congestion, improve air quality and make journeys more efficient for everyone.

🚌 Colchester Park and Ride offers a convenient alternative to driving into the city centre. For just £8.50, visitors can park for the day and use the frequent bus service into Colchester, followed by a short walk to Castle Park.

By choosing Park and Ride, you're helping to:

✅ Reduce traffic congestion in the city centre

✅ Lower transport-related emissions

✅ Support a cleaner, healthier environment

✅ Enjoy a stress-free journey to and from the event

Find out more and book your space via the Travel Essex website.

🔗: https://www.travelessex.co.uk/park-and-ride/colchester-park-and-ride?

Colchester Park & Ride disability concessionary passes and, where eligible, their companion, £1.70 before 9am (Mondays to Fridays) , Free at any other time.

🚧 Road improvements approved to support Chelmsford Garden Community

Essex County Council has approved the Beaulieu Access Package, bringing vital upgrades to the A12 and Beaulieu Park Station roundabout to support the growth of the Chelmsford Garden Community.

The improvements will help unlock 10,000 new homes, alongside new schools, businesses, health facilities and community spaces.

This follows Essex's commitment to an infrastructure-first approach and complements the ongoing construction of the Chelmsford North East Bypass, due for completion later this summer!

Together, these investments will improve connectivity, enhance road safety and support sustainable growth across the area.

Chelmsford Garden Community A planning application for Chelmsford Garden Community Zone 2 was submitted by Countryside L&Q to Chelmsford City Council on 30 October 2023. Further details are outlined in the “Have Your Say” section below.

Ready to get back on your bike or start cycling more often? 🚴‍♀️

Sofa to Saddle, by Cycling UK is a fun, free, programme designed to help you build confidence and make cycling a regular part of your routine.

Similar to Couch to 5K, over eight weeks, you'll receive the support and guidance you need to turn your motivation into getting into cycling to action!

You can set achievable distance goals and discover new routes, whilst receiving practical tips and encouragement along the way all at your own pace.

Whether you're looking to improve your health, save money on travel, or simply enjoy being more active, Sofa to Saddle can help you get started!

Check it out below:

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Sofa to Saddle British Cycling

Heading to the Colchester Castle Summer Series?

Make your journey easier with Colchester Park & Ride:

✅ Frequent buses throughout the day

✅Short walk from the drop-off point to the stage

✅£8.50 all-inclusive

Find out more about Park & Ride, timetables, and what's on at the

Colchester Castle Summer Series on the Travel Essex website:

Colchester Park & Ride disability concessionary passes and, where eligible, their companion, £1.70 before 9am (Mondays to Fridays) , Free at any other time.

Seaside Special to Walton-on-the-Naze! 🚆🌊

Looking for a great-value day out by the coast?

Travel on the Seaside Special service from Colchester North to Walton-on-the-Naze and enjoy an open return ticket, allowing you to travel back at any time on the same day.

📍 Depart Colchester North: 10:56am
🎟️ Adult: £5.00
🎟️ Child (1-16): £3.00

Leave the car behind, relax on the journey, and enjoy all that Walton-on-the-Naze has to offer. ☀️🏖️

Book below:

Seaside Special II | Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership Our well known seaside special between Colchester North and Walton on the Naze, one way, with an open return for passengers to travel home any time on the same day!

🚴‍♀️ From Sofa to Saddle! 🚴‍♂️

British Cycling has launched its new Sofa to Saddle app, designed to help more people get cycling and make riding part of everyday life.

The free app includes:
✅ An 8-week cycling plan
✅ Route guidance and confidence-building support
✅ Beginner bike maintenance tips
✅ Rewards and milestones to help keep you motivated

With around half of Brits spending more than 18 hours a week on the sofa, the initiative aims to break down barriers to cycling and support British Cycling's goal of getting one million more people cycling by 2028.

Whether you're returning to cycling or starting for the first time, this could be the perfect opportunity to get moving and explore the benefits of active travel. 🚲🌱

From Sofa To Saddle: New App From British Cycling and Lloyds Aims To Get The Nation Active, As Half Of Brits Spend Over 18 Hours A Week On The Sofa British Cycling, in partnership with Lloyds, have launched Sofa to Saddle, a brand new, free to use app to help inspire and enable the nation to get on their bikes. 

Cycle to work day is this Thursday, so why not get your bike ready, and include cycling in your commute? 🚲

Whether you're a regular cyclist or thinking about trying it for the first time, cycling to work is a great way to:

✅ Boost your physical and mental wellbeing
✅ Save money on travel costs
✅ Reduce traffic congestion
✅ Cut your carbon footprint
✅ Start your day feeling energised

If you've been considering cycling to work, 6 August is the perfect opportunity to get started. Plan your route, dust off your bike, and join thousands of people across the UK choosing a greener way to travel.

Active Travel England has launched Worth Every Step, its delivery plan to support the Government's Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS 3) and make walking, wheeling and cycling the easiest and most affordable ways to travel. 🌱

Why does active travel matter?

✅ Improves physical and mental health
✅ Reduces congestion on our roads
✅ Lowers transport costs for households
✅ Creates healthier, more connected communities

The plan focuses on making everyday journeys safer and more accessible, particularly trips to schools, local shops, services and public transport hubs. Key actions include delivering 3,500 miles of safer routes, supporting towns and cities to develop Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), improving cycle access to rail stations, and publishing new guidance on rural active travel and women's safety.

Investing in active travel is an investment in healthier people, stronger communities and a more sustainable transport network. 🚶‍♀️🚲

Worth Every Step - Active Travel England's delivery plan 2026 to 2030 Sets out Active Travel England’s strategic priorities for 2026 to 2030.

🚶‍♀️🚴‍♂️ New Rural Design Guide from Active Travel England

Active Travel England has published its first-ever Rural Design Guide, providing councils and scheme designers with practical guidance to create better walking, wheeling and cycling routes in rural communities.

The guidance aims to make active travel safer, healthier and more accessible, helping people reach education, employment and local services without relying solely on the car.

The need is clear: almost two-thirds of all road deaths in Great Britain occur on rural roads, despite them carrying less traffic than urban roads.

A welcome step towards making rural travel safer and creating more opportunities for communities across England.

Read the full article below!

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New guidance to help councils deliver safer rural walking and cycling routes | Active Travel England Active Travel England (ATE) has today published its Rural Design Guide, providing local authorities with practical advice to plan and deliver safe, accessible and attractive walking, wheeling and cycling routes.

The Government has announced that the £2 single bus fare cap will be in place from January 2027, helping to make public transport more affordable for millions of passengers.

This measure could save people up to a third off the cost of a single journey, making everyday travel more accessible and supporting access to work, education, healthcare and leisure activities.

For Essex residents, this is a fantastic opportunity to encourage more people to choose the bus instead of the car. Not only can it help reduce travel costs, but it also supports more sustainable travel choices, helping to cut congestion and lower emissions.