New strategy aims to help eliminate road deaths in Essex

People in Essex are being invited to help shape a new strategy that aims to eliminate road deaths and make the county a safer place for everyone.

In 2025, 60 people lost their lives on the county’s roads; the highest number since 2016. Almost half of the deaths were related to speed, while hundreds more people were also seriously injured.

Essex County Council has launched a public consultation for feedback on the new draft Essex Safer Speeds Strategy. The strategy has been developed with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP), including Essex Police. 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.

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.

Cllr Mark Platt, 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.”

He added: “Local involvement will be a vital part of the strategy, I encourage everyone to share their views by taking part in our public consultation.”

Cllr Lee Scott, chair of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership Governance Board said: “The tragic impacts of serious road traffic collisions go beyond those who have died or suffered serious injuries, affecting families, friends, colleagues and our wider communities. We must take urgent action to achieve our Vision Zero aspiration and the new Essex Safer Speeds Strategy is the single most important tool in helping us to do that.”

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.