Basildon Integrated Transport Package

The Basildon Integrated Transport Package consists of three tranches, with the aim of delivering traffic management and sustainable travel infrastructure improvements in Basildon.  These improvements will support economic growth across South Essex and the regeneration of Basildon town centre. The objectives of the project are:

• To support housing and job growth;
• To make best use of the existing highway network;
• To reduce congestion at key points on the network;
• To promote, encourage and support sustainable journeys within Basildon and along the wider A127 corridor; and
• To improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

Basildon Integrated Transport Package (ITP) – Tranche 1

The first tranche of the project will deliver the following asset and capacity improvements.

• Basildon and Thurrock Hospital access road widening, including widening of the shared cycle/pedestrian route.  Alongside provision of secure cycle parking and real time bus service information;
• Cycle routes:
  • Gloucester Road, Broadmayne to Cranes Farm Road
  • Access to Laindon Station
  • South East access to Basildon town centre
• Wickford and Billericay Station Interchanges – infrastructure improvements in partnership with Abellio Greater Anglia to improve the transport interchanges and station environment with the provision of:
  • Cycle parking
  • Motorcycle parking
  • Revised layouts to station forecourts
  • Real-time bus service information boards.

Basildon Integrated Transport Package (ITP) – Tranche 2

Tranche 2 of the project supports the Basildon town centre masterplan, and offers a range of sustainable transport improvements as detailed:

• Town Centre Highway Improvements – This involves changes to the Bus Station layout, plus creation of a two-way flow on Cherrydown East, and modifications to the associated junctions around the station. The aim is to make the operation of the Bus Station more efficient and tie it in directly with the Railway Station by the creation of a ‘Transit Mall’. Additionally, it will improve the public realm by opening up the front of the station, provide additional cycle storage for rail commuters and positively link the relocation of South Essex College to the town centre. To improve traffic flows around the town centre, it is proposed to make changes to the wider network at key locations.
• Cycling Schemes – To improve cycle links into the town centre, to the nationally recognised Basildon Sporting Village, Basildon Enterprise Corridor to the north and the hospital to the south west. It will complete the missing links to provide joined-up cycling access to the town centre from all major areas of Basildon.
• Endeavour Drive Bus Link – To provide a bus link, including provision for cycling and walking, from businesses on Endeavour Drive and the Enterprise Corridor, through the adjacent Retail Park and onward to the outlying districts of Rayleigh and Wickford.

Basildon Integrated Transport Package – Tranche 3

Tranche 3 of the project will deliver one of the Flagship Cycle Routes identified within the Basildon Cycling Action Plan.  A Flagship Cycle Route is a key corridor providing safer, faster and more direct access to one or more key attractors.  The routes will be on high demand corridors, will be able to meet demand and will encourage a focus on innovation/design best practice. The Flagship Cycle Routes aim to increase the level of cycling on key corridors through provision of improved crossings, signage and surfacing of cycle routes.  In addition, the proposed works focus on linking up existing short sections of cycle route which were built in the 1950’s, as this is perceived to be one of the factors that discourage residents from cycling. Tranche 3 of the project will deliver a cycle route from Basildon Railway Station to the Pipps Hill Industrial Area and Retail Park.  A link will also be added between Laindon and Pipps Hill.

Project change

This project was considered by Accountability Board on 15th February 2019, with the Board agreeing a proposed change in project scope and associated reduction in LGF allocation. Within Tranche 2 of the project there was a proposal to deliver the Endeavour Drive Bus Link.  This bus link was intended to run from business premises on Endeavour Drive and the Enterprise Corridor, through the adjacent retail park and onwards to the outlying districts of Rayleigh and Wickford.  Delivery of this bus link was expected to help manage congestion and aid delivery of Basildon’s Local Plan, however, considerable delivery constraints have been identified in taking forward this scheme. Essex County Council has investigated all available options to progress with the bus link but no deliverable interventions have been identified. As a result it was recommended that the bus link be removed from the project scope and the associated LGF funding be reallocated through the LGF3b process.

£579m of investment to East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock

In total the SELEP Growth Deal with Government has brought £579m of investment to East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock. Over the lifetime of the Growth Deal (2015-2021) we aim to deliver 78,000 jobs and 29,000 homes across the SELEP area, with the Deal set to attract a further £960m of investment into the South East over the six year period.

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