Latest news with #EssexHighways
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Long delays following crash on M25 near Queen Elizabeth II bridge
Three lanes of the M25 have been shut following a crash near the Dartford Crossing. Motorists crossing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge are experiencing long delays, following an earlier crash between Junctions 1A and 1B. The incident is affecting the clockwise carriageway, with slow traffic reported up to South Ockendon. Essex Highways confirmed the hard shoulder, as well as lanes one, two and three, are closed following a collision. Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible and plan extra time for their journeys until the lanes have reopened. UPDATE - The M25 - clockwise between junctions J1A and J1B . Lane Closures : The hard shoulder, lanes 1, 2 and 3 are closed. due to a Road traffic collision. — Essex Travel News (@Essex_Travel) May 24, 2025
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New speed bumps are not too big, says highways
Speed bumps that a councillor complains are too high and are "scraping" vehicles will not be fixed, highways bosses have said. Essex Highways had said work to adjust the series of humps in Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, and a discrepancy of 2cm (0.8in), were scheduled for April. But after a reinspection, the Conservative-run highways authority said there was "no intent to alter" as they met the "standard height". "They're clearly too high," local Labour councillor Tim Young said. "People who approach them a bit too quickly are scraping the underneath of their vehicle." Drivers were having to "crawl to almost a halt to get over them" to avoid damaging their vehicles, he continued. He said he would "get on to" the councillor responsible for highways and that the bumps had already damaged some vehicles. The speed cushions had replaced a previous set which had been in place for several years near a primary and secondary school, explained Young. Essex Highways said engineers visited the road last month to "inspect and accurately measure" the bumps. "The cushions were recorded as being to the design height of 75mm (3in), which is a standard height within the UK for this type of speed calming measure," a spokesperson said. "They have been positioned to help reduce speed for the adjacent school entrance. "As a consequence, there is no intent to alter the current height, although we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the speed cushions at this location, as we do with all new installations of this nature." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Potholes repaired after line painting mishap Work under way to fix 'nightmare' speed bumps More speed bumps set for village roads Essex Highways
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New speed bumps are not too big, says highways
Speed bumps that a councillor complains are too high and are "scraping" vehicles will not be fixed, highways bosses have said. Essex Highways had said work to adjust the series of humps in Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, and a discrepancy of 2cm (0.8in), were scheduled for April. But after a reinspection, the Conservative-run highways authority said there was "no intent to alter" as they met the "standard height". "They're clearly too high," local Labour councillor Tim Young said. "People who approach them a bit too quickly are scraping the underneath of their vehicle." Drivers were having to "crawl to almost a halt to get over them" to avoid damaging their vehicles, he continued. He said he would "get on to" the councillor responsible for highways and that the bumps had already damaged some vehicles. The speed cushions had replaced a previous set which had been in place for several years near a primary and secondary school, explained Young. Essex Highways said engineers visited the road last month to "inspect and accurately measure" the bumps. "The cushions were recorded as being to the design height of 75mm (3in), which is a standard height within the UK for this type of speed calming measure," a spokesperson said. "They have been positioned to help reduce speed for the adjacent school entrance. "As a consequence, there is no intent to alter the current height, although we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the speed cushions at this location, as we do with all new installations of this nature." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Potholes repaired after line painting mishap Work under way to fix 'nightmare' speed bumps More speed bumps set for village roads Essex Highways
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Colchester speed bumps are not too big, highway says
Speed bumps that a councillor complains are too high and are "scraping" vehicles will not be fixed, highways bosses have Highways had said work to adjust the series of humps in Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, and a discrepancy of 2cm (0.8in), were scheduled for after a reinspection, the Conservative-run authority said there was "no intent to alter" as they met the "standard height"."They're clearly too high," local Labour councillor Tim Young said. "People who approach them a bit too quickly are scraping the underneath of their vehicle."Drivers were having to "crawl to almost a halt to get over them" to avoid damaging their vehicles, he said he would "get on to" the councillor responsible for highways and that the bumps had already damaged some speed cushions had replaced a previous set which had been in place for several years near a primary and secondary school, explained Young. Essex Highways said engineers visited the road last month to "inspect and accurately measure" the bumps."The cushions were recorded as being to the design height of 75mm (3in), which is a standard height within the UK for this type of speed calming measure," a spokesperson said."They have been positioned to help reduce speed for the adjacent school entrance."As a consequence, there is no intent to alter the current height, although we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the speed cushions at this location, as we do with all new installations of this nature." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Microorganisms used to clear dangerous fuel spillages on roads across Essex
Microorganisms are being used to clear fuel spillages on roads across Essex. Essex Highways is one of the first authorities to use microbiology for this purpose. The traditional method of using sand and other absorbent materials can lead to road closures lasting between three and six hours, depending on the size of the spill. However, the new method, known as the Fuel Spill Digester, offers a more eco-friendly solution. The method uses natural bacteria and enzymes to quickly "eat" fuel, oils, and solvents spilled on roads. The microorganisms are sprayed onto a spill, where the enzymes break down the fuel's harmful components while bacteria digest them. Microorganisms consume a fuel spillage and render it non-flammable (Image: Essex County Council) This transforms the dangerous and slippery fuel into water within minutes. Roads can be reopened to traffic within an hour, dependent on the size of the spillage. Essex County Council is one of the first local authorities to adopt this method. Tom Cunningham, councillor responsible for highways, infrastructure, and sustainable transport at Essex County Council, said: "Nobody wants to be stuck in traffic because of fuel spills which can take hours to clean. "This new biological solution can get roads up and running much faster, while also ensuring we protect the environment without the need to dispose of contaminated absorbents. "Fuel Spill Digestor is a smart way to make the highways of Essex safer, greener and healthier for everyone."
