Safer Greener Healthier

03/08/2026

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.

31/07/2026

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. 🚶‍♀️🚲

Sets out Active Travel England’s strategic priorities for 2026 to 2030.

29/07/2026

🚶‍♀️🚴‍♂️ 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!

🔗:

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.

27/07/2026

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.

15/07/2026

Active travel is one of the simplest ways to improve your wellbeing while helping the environment.

By choosing to walk, wheel, cycle or use an e-bike, you can:

💚 Boost your physical and mental wellbeing
💷 Reduce travel costs
🌍 Lower your carbon footprint
🚗 Help ease congestion and improve air quality

Active travel doesn't have to mean a complete lifestyle change. Even swapping one short car journey each week can make a positive difference for you and the environment.

Have a look at this article for more tips:

Active travel is about getting you moving from A to B in ways that don’t use fossil fuels. Find out more about walking, cycling and ebikes.

09/07/2026

Looking to get active, meet new people, and enjoy the outdoors?

Why not join a FREE Walk & Talk Club near you?

Walking is a fantastic way to boost your physical and mental wellbeing while connecting with others in your local community. Whether you're new to walking groups or a regular walker, there's something for everyone.

📍 Find free walking activities and many more health and wellbeing opportunities using the Active Essex Activity Finder, making it easy to discover local activities that suit your interests, fitness level, and schedule.

Have a look below:

02/07/2026

Now that the weather is a little cooler, why not get outside and explore a new part of Essex on foot? 🚶‍♀️🌳

Walking is a great way to stay active, boost your wellbeing, and discover some of the fantastic green spaces, countryside, and hidden gems right on your doorstep.

Go Jauntly offers a range of walking routes across Essex, with something for everyone to enjoy – whether you're looking for a short lunchtime stroll or a longer weekend adventure.

Take a look at the routes available and get inspired for your next walk:

Essex County Council have teamed up with Go Jauntly to showcase the landscapes, green space, coastal paths, heritage and architecture that Essex has to offer. There are over 60 free new walks to explore created in partnership with the borough and district councils of Basildon, Braintree, Castle Poi

25/06/2026

🌡️ Stay safe travelling during the heatwave

With the current heatwave, it’s important to take extra care when travelling around Essex.

Travel Essex has shared helpful guidance on how to stay safe and look after yourself when using bus and train services in hot weather, from staying hydrated to planning your journey ahead.

Whether you’re commuting or heading out for the day, a few simple steps can make your journey more comfortable and safer.

Have a read below:

Travelling in the heat? Stay safe and look after yourself 22 Jun 26 High temperatures can make travelling more challenging, whether you’re walking, cycling, driving or using public transport. With a little planning, you can still enjoy your journey across Essex safely and comfortably. If you’re ...

24/06/2026

To demonstrate how we’re leading by example, we’ve recently updated our website with more information about our Employee Travel Plan.

You can now explore our full staff travel survey report, an infographic highlighting the key findings and case studies from our Travel Champions

These updates showcase the work underway to make commuting to Essex County Council safer, greener, and healthier for our employees.

We hope this also helps to inspire other organisations to take steps towards more sustainable travel choices. 🌱

We are leading by example by sharing our Travel Plan, showing how Essex County Council supports employees at County Hall and hub offices to choose active and sustainable travel, helping create safer, greener and healthier journeys across the county.

22/06/2026

Department for Transport has released its new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, setting out an ambitious vision for active travel across England

The government is committing over £4.5 billion in investment over the next five years, working alongside Active Travel England and local authorities to deliver 5,000 new walking, wheeling, and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings linking homes with schools, high streets, and local services

This investment will also make it easier for people to combine active travel with public transport, helping improve access to hubs like train stations and supporting more sustainable everyday journeys.

Read the entire article below:

Strategy aims to deliver 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings over the next 5 years.