01/04/2026
Essex County Council
Press Release 16/03/2026:
'Essex Safer Speeds Strategy Consultation'
The consultation starts Monday 16 March 2026 and will run for six weeks, closing on Sunday 26 April 2026.
New strategy aims to help eliminate road deaths in Essex
Speed was a factor in nearly half of the 60 deaths on the county’s roads last year.
Residents are being invited to help shape a new strategy that aims to eliminate road deaths and make Essex a safer place for everyone.
In 2025, 60 people lost their lives on the county’s roads. This the highest number since 2016.
Almost half of the deaths were related to speed, while hundreds more people were also seriously injured on Essex roads last year.
Essex County Council has launched a public consultation for feedback on the new draft Essex Safer Speeds Strategy. The strategy has been developed with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP), including Essex Police. It aims to help achieve the SERP’s shared Vision Zero aspiration that nobody should be killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads by 2040.
The strategy will help introduce safer speeds across Essex, with recommended speed limits decided based on how different streets are used.
The strategy is designed to be flexible and there will not be a blanket approach. Speed limits will instead be decided on a case-by-case basis, where there is demand for change by local communities.
Planned areas of focus include working with local communities to introduce 20mph speed limits on people-focused streets, as well as reducing speeds along routes to schools.
Councillor Mark Platt, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “Speed is the single biggest factor in deaths and serious injuries on the roads of Essex.
“The new Essex Safer Speeds Strategy will help save lives and transform our towns and villages from places which can feel dangerous and intimidating into safer, greener and healthier local communities.
“Local involvement will be a vital part of the strategy, I encourage everyone to share their views by taking part in our public consultation.”
Councillor Lee Scott, Chair of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership Governance Board, said: “The tragic impacts of serious road traffic collisions go beyond those who have died or suffered serious injuries, affecting families, friends, colleagues and our wider communities.
“We must take urgent action to achieve our Vision Zero aspiration and the new Essex Safer Speeds Strategy is the single most important tool in helping us to do that.”
Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing at Essex Police, added: “Excess speed remains a leading cause of death and serious injury on our network, and this evidence-led strategy provides a clear approach to reducing harm and protecting the most vulnerable road users.”
The public consultation will run for six weeks, closing on Sunday 26 April 2026.
To find out more and have your say, visit: https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/essex-highways/essex-safer-speeds-strategy
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There is more information about the strategy and consultation below.
Essex Safer Speeds Strategy:-
Speed is the biggest factor in serious road traffic collisions in Essex. In 2025, 60 people lost their lives on the county’s roads, while many more suffered life-changing injuries. Nearly half of the deaths were related to excess speed. Residents also often tell us they feel unsafe walking, cycling or moving around their neighbourhoods because of vehicle speeds.
To achieve our shared Vision Zero aspiration that no one should be killed or seriously injured on Essex roads by 2040, we need to take steps to manage speeds, improve road design and support safer travel choices.
The new draft Essex Safer Speeds Strategy, which we have developed in partnership with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, sets out a flexible and evidence-based approach. It will help us introduce safer speeds across Essex, with recommended speed limits decided based on how different streets are used. There will not be a blanket approach. Speed limits will instead be decided on a case-by-case basis, where there is demand for change by local communities.
Public consultation:-
We want to hear the thoughts of people who live, visit or work in Essex on the draft Essex Safer Speeds Strategy. The feedback we receive through the public consultation will help us refine and improve the strategy before it is finalised and adopted later this year. The six-week consultation is open until Sunday, 26 April 2026.
For more information about the strategy and to take part in the consultation, please visit:
https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/essex-highways/essex-safer-speeds-strategy
Printed copies of the survey, consultation summary document and full draft strategy will soon be available in main libraries. They can also be requested by emailing: [email protected]
We will be joining the Safer Essex Roads Partnership at four of its upcoming Vision Zero community roadshow events, offering an opportunity for people to find out more about the draft strategy and ask any questions. Details are available on the consultation page.
How you can help:-
We would really appreciate feedback from your organisation or group through a response to the consultation. The easiest way to provide feedback is by completing the online survey at: https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/essex-highways/essex-safer-speeds-strategy
Alternatively, you can send a response by email to:- [email protected]
We would also ask you to please consider sharing the public consultation link across your networks, social media pages and other channels to help us promote the consultation and encourage as much feedback as possible from local residents.
The communications toolkit attached to this email includes a press release, newsletter copy, social media copy, imagery and videos which you may use and edit as appropriate.
Questions:-
If you have any questions about the strategy or consultation, please email us at: [email protected]
Kind regards,
The Essex Safer Speeds Strategy project team
