THURROCK Council is calling on residents to give their views on new pedestrian and cycling initiatives in Thurrock – with four of the schemes in the east of the borough.

An online consultation will help shape how the council plans the new initiatives having been given a pit of cash from the government under its Active Travel Fund to invest in walking and cycling across the borough.

The council says the funding will be used to:

• Help people in Thurrock make more local journeys on foot or by bicycle
• Provide better infrastructure for walking and cycling
• Make it easier and safer for you to walk or cycle in Thurrock

And it is inviting residents to have their say on the five different schemes they are considering which include:

• Improved pedestrian crossings
• New safe cycling routes
• Better traffic management

The council says: "Currently these schemes are early proposals. Once we've heard your views, we will come up with more detailed plans and work to implement them by September 2021.

The proposed projects are:

Scheme A

New signalised crossing at the Southern arm of the Orsett Cock roundabout - A128 Brentwood Road

What's proposed: New signalised toucan crossing across the A128 on the southern arm of the Orsett Cock roundabout so pedestrians and cyclists can cross the road safely without risk of moving traffic.

How it would help: A shared path for pedestrians and cyclists runs along the southern side of the A1013 Stanford Road, which connects Grays with Stanford-le-Hope. Approaching the A128 Brentwood Road, there is no safe space to cross the road where busy traffic meets the Orsett Cock roundabout junction with the A13. This improvement would complete a safe cycling and walking route between Grays and Stanford-le-Hope.

Scheme B

New shared path on London Road, Stanford-le-Hope between Rookery Corner and Stanford-le-Hope Railway Station.

What's proposed: Widening the pavement on the south side of London Road to create a cycle route to Stanford-le-Hope railway station.

How it would help: London Road is very busy with traffic moving east to west between the old A13 and the town centre. Many people feel unsafe cycling here. This improvement would enable more people to be able to cycle to the railway station and town centre, or towards schools, helping to reduce traffic at peak times. The scheme would not remove parking would not affect the flow of traffic.

Scheme C

New shared path on Purfleet Road, Aveley between the A1306 Arterial Road and Aveley Community Hub

What's proposed: Widening the pavement on Purfleet Road between the A1013 Arterial Road and Aveley Community Hub to give cyclists a safe route into the village from the west

How it would help: There is currently no infrastructure for cyclists going direct between Aveley and Purfleet-on-Thames. The improvement will connect Aveley village centre to existing cycle infrastructure on the A1306 Arterial Road and New Tank Hill Road. This will create a faster and more direct safe route between both communities.

Scheme D

Traffic Management measures on Branksome Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope.

What's proposed: Put traffic management measures along Branksome Avenue to create a safe space for cyclists and slow speeding vehicles.

How it would help: Vehicles speeding on Branksome Avenue create an unsafe environment for cyclists and pedestrians, and cause concern for residents. Better traffic management would create a safer space, reducing speeding and traffic volumes on the street and discouraging its use as a 'rat run' from Southend Road. The council has already committed to spending £250,000 on this scheme but is seeking local opinion of the finer details.

Scheme E

New cycle route on Corringham Road, Stanford-le-Hope from Inn on the Green through to Sorrells roundabout via Billet Lane.

What's proposed: New cycle route to connect Stanford-le-Hope town centre and Sorrells roundabout via Billet Lane.

How it would help: Stanford-le-Hope needs a complete network of cycle infrastructure to connect its centre with the south and eastern parts of the town. The new route would continue through to the Sorrells roundabout and existing cycle infrastructure on the north side of the A1014 Manorway and towards the employment area of London Gateway.

Residents are invited to submit their ideas and comments on the proposals via the council's consultation portal here.