Have your say on strategy to create safer roads in Essex – PFCC-backed partnership launches consultation
Everyone who lives, works and travels in Essex is being invited to help shape a new strategy that aims to eliminate road deaths and make the county’s roads safer.
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.
A public consultation has now opened for public feedback on the new draft Essex Safer Speeds Strategy. The strategy has been developed with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP), a partnership which includes the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Essex County Council, which is hosting the consultation.
It aims to help achieve SERP’s shared Vision Zero aspiration that nobody should be killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads by 2040.
To have your say, visit: https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/essex-highways/essex-safer-speeds-strategy
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.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “The devastation of road collisions is felt by far too many families and communities. We must work together to reduce harm and promote safer driving.
“We are committed to Vision Zero – eliminating deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads by 2040. These are tough challenges, but they are achievable through prevention, protection and partnership.”
Councillor Mark Platt, Essex County Council 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.”
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
A short promotional video for the Essex Safer Speeds Strategy is available at: https://youtu.be/kyGRW9WoOVA