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Army and Navy proposed solution
Army and Navy proposed solution

Better Infrastructure

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Army and Navy proposed solution
Update from Essex County Council on Army and Navy and Beaulieu
Army and Navy
Vicky outside Chelmsford Train Station

Chelmsford is England’s newest City and is growing rapidly.   We have outstanding schools, homes, shops and much going on.  We need world class infrastructure to match this.  As a former infrastructure financier I am committed to campaigning for better infrastructure for Chelmsford.

Army and Navy Junction

Within my first year as Member of Parliament for Chelmsford I had identified the Army and Navy as a key project and called for a Task Force to be set up to work on a long-term replacement.

The Task Force  considered four different options for the long-term replacement for the Army and Navy flyover. Work is continuing to assess and refine these four options - a hamburger roundabout, enlarged roundabout, two-way flyover and separate T-junctions. A final shortlist of options for the Army and Navy junction is set to be confirmed early in 2021.

Each option has been upgraded to include significantly improved walking and cycling facilities at the junction, while proposals are also being developed for the expansion of Sandon Park and Ride and a potential new park and ride site in Widford. The sustainable transport improvement measures are a crucial aspect of the project and part of a continued drive to encourage more people to walk, cycle or use the bus to get around the city.

60% of those who took part in the survey preferred the option for a “Hamburger” junction that enables traffic to pass through the roundabout. I am told that is an design that has proved very successful in other areas, like Harlow and Oxford. 21% preferred the second option for more T junctions. 18% had no preference or were undecided.

The task force has therefore decided to proceed with the Hamburger style junction, as this is also the most likely option to reduce congestion in Chelmsford. The task force combines elected representatives from all parties in Chelmsford so it was good to have cross party backing.

This is an expensive project. A fully costed business plan now needs to be prepared so we can finalise the funding bids.

I know people want a new junction delivered as soon as possible, but it is also important that we get the best possible solution for future generations.

You can find more information on this here, www.essex.gov.uk/armyandnavy.

Beaulieu Park Station and North East By Pass

The development of Chelmsford’s second railway station at Beaulieu is a long-held aspiration to support growth in north east Chelmsford. Outline planning permission for the station was secured in 2014 and the parties are working in partnership to develop the station design which includes a central passing loop and three platforms. Plans are also being progressed for the accompanying integrated walking, cycling and bus strategy which will be supplemented by approximately 1,450 parking spaces. 

The new station will help to assist with pressures on the existing Chelmsford rail station, which currently services 8.5 million passenger trips a year. It is the busiest two platform station in the country outside of London.

£218 million funding for Beaulieu Station has been secured through the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund. This will be administered by Homes England and sits alongside contributions from the Beaulieu development and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Beaulieu Station is a key part of the sustainable transport infrastructure needed to support housing development in Chelmsford. The new rail station, along with the new Chelmsford North East Bypass, will help enable an additional 10,500 new homes to be built in this part of Essex. It will support the delivery of infrastructure to foster long term sustainable housing growth.

Work is already underway on this project. Construction of the new station is a deeply complex project as it involves moving both the Eastbound and Westbound Main Line railway tracks, as well as all the signalling and infrastructure that are associated with this track. This is to allow for a passing loop, and three platforms, at the new station. The passing loop will provide additional capacity and improved network resilience, enabling more trains to run along the entire Great Eastern Main Line. It is my understanding that there will be trains that stop at both the new Beaulieu Station and the exiting Chelmsford station, as well as trains that just stop at one or the other.

The Network Rail team are currently completing the option selection phase of the project and expect to start design and consents work later this year. Network Rail believe construction could start in 2023 and complete in late 2025, with the station coming into service in 2026.
You can find out more about Beaulieu Station and the Chelmsford North East Bypass here https://www.essexhighways.org/Transport-and-Roads/Highway-Schemes-and-Developments/Major-Schemes/Chelmsford-North-East-Bypass.aspx.

National Infrastructure Strategy

The Government is committed to delivering once-in-a-generation investment in our infrastructure. In the 2020 Spending Review the Chancellor announced the biggest investment in new roads, railways, cycle lanes and zero emission vehicles, schools, broadband and housing, in order to build back better from coronavirus and level up across the United Kingdom. The Government is investing more than £17 billion in our nation’s railways over the next three years.

The Government are providing a number of multi-year capital settlements for roads, rail, hospitals, schools, broadband and housing. The Government will also publish a National Infrastructure Strategy, outlining a long-term vision for infrastructure investment. This will go alongside a refreshed Green Book, to ensure that infrastructure projects deliver the Government’s key priorities to level up the country.    

  • A £7.1 billion National Home Building Fund, on top of the £12.2 billion Affordable Homes Programme.
  • Better mobile connectivity with 4G coverage across 95 per cent of the UK by 2025.
  • The biggest investment in new roads, railways, cycle lanes and over 800 zero emission buses.
  • £15 billion of new funding for research and development next year.
  • Delivering the Prime Minister’s ten-point plan for climate change, creating 250,000 new green jobs across the UK.

News

Meeting with Roads Minister

Moulsham Times Article January / February 2023

Wednesday, 25 January, 2023

I recently convened a meeting in Westminster with the Essex County Council cabinet member for infrastructure, County Cllr Lesley Wagland and the roads minister Richard Holden MP to discuss the Army and Navy sustainable transport package. It was a very positive meeting.

Ministerial Meeting

A week in the life of Vicky Ford MP

Saturday, 14 January, 2023

MPs returned to Westminster this week after the Christmas recess.  Like others across the country this was the first time colleagues had had the chance for a proper break since the beginning of the pandemic.  MPs were rested and relaxed but also aware that this may not last for long!

With ARU Medical Students

Vision Magazine Article - January 2023

Tuesday, 3 January, 2023

I was over the moon to get the news just before Christmas that the contract for Beaulieu Park Station had been signed between Essex County Council, Network Rail and the construction company.   Local residents tell me that they were first promised a new station over 40 years ago.  Now it is firmly

With Medical students at ARU

A week in the life of Vicky Ford MP

Friday, 16 December, 2022

They say you wait ages for a London bus and then three arrive at once.   This week has brought three bits of very good news for Chelmsford.

With the Dean of Chelmsford looking at the Christmas Card entries

A week in the life of Vicky Ford MP

Friday, 25 November, 2022

There has been a lot of discussion in the corridors of Westminster this week about a new Bill that is being debated related to planning laws.  Housing is a big issue in Chelmsford.  I am frequently contacted by residents who are desperate for affordable housing to rent or buy as well as people ne

Vicky Ford with Popworld Management Team

A week in the life of Vicky Ford MP

Friday, 18 November, 2022

This week was “Parliament Week” when schools and other organisations for young people like Brownie and Scout packs hold events to learn about Parliament.  With democracy under threat in so many parts of the world, this is a useful opportunity to learn about our parliamentary system.  Those taking

App Fair

Vision Magazine Article - November 2022

Monday, 31 October, 2022

October was a hugely exciting month for Chelmsford infrastructure as the new bridge was carefully transferred, centimetre by centimetre, onto its new pillars in place across the A12 and the Railway line.

With Greater Anglia

Moulsham Times October 2022

Friday, 14 October, 2022

Hugely exciting weekend for Chelmsford infrastructure at the start of October as the new Beaulieu bridge was carefully transferred, centimetre by centimetre, onto its new pillars in place across the A12 and the Railway line.

A week in the life of Vicky Ford MP

Friday, 17 June, 2022

Monday 13 June 2022  Think Tanks have an important role to play.  They often bring together experts from many different fields to research and examine thorny issues and can bring new ideas on how to tackle problems.

Letter to CEO National Grid

National Grid - Green Anglia Consultation

Wednesday, 15 June, 2022

You may be aware that a public consultation has been taking place about reinforcing the high voltage power network in East Anglia as well as connecting new offshore wind generation.

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ConservativesPromoted by Christine Garrett on behalf of Vicky Ford, both of 88 Rectory Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1RF
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