Essex County Council has proposed a permanent 20mph speed limit for several roads in Maldon, as the temporary order currently in place expires later this year.

A temporary 20mph speed limit order was applied to the roads included in the proposal as part of the initial response to the Covid pandemic to help with social distancing measures, and expires on 13 July.

Following consultation with residents and councillors, a report by the county council says "there is a strong local desire to make the temporary limit a permanent 20mph speed limit".

The report says the permanent order aims to improve the walking and shopping environment of Maldon "to encourage people to visit the town centre and local businesses".

It adds: "Lower speed limits in the residential areas will help to encourage local sustainable travel to schools and shops."

The permanent 20mph speed limit is proposed for the following roads in Maldon:

• Maldon High Street: From a point 14 metres northeast from the junction of West Square and the High Street in an easterly direction for a distance of 523 metres to the junction with North Street.

• Market Hill, Maldon: From the junction with the High Street for its entire length in a northerly direction to the junction with Fullbridge.

• Fullbridge, Maldon: From a point eight metres northeast of the northeast kerbline of Mill Lane for its entire length in a south westerly direction to its junction with Market Hill.

• Mill Lane, Maldon: From its junction with Fullbridge for its entire length in a northwesterly direction.

• Cromwell Lane, Maldon: From its junction with Market Hill for the entire length in a northwesterly direction.

• Old Mill Close, Maldon: From the junction with the High Street in a northerly direction for its entire length.

• Edward Bright Close, Maldon: From its junction with the High Street in a northerly direction for its entire length.

• Fullbridge Quay, Maldon: From its junction with Market Hill in an easterly direction to its junction with Chandlers Quay and Anchorage Hill for its entire length.

• Chandlers Quay, Maldon: From its junction with Anchorage Hill in an easterly direction for its entire length.

• Anchorage Hill, Maldon: From the junction with Fullbridge Quay in a southerly direction for its entire length.

Maldon's local highway panel has already given its support to the scheme.

The county council will now undertake a statutory order-making process to consider making these roads subject to the permanent speed limit, which it said would "promote active travel" and "create a better environment for businesses and residents alike".

Further public consultation will be undertaken with stakeholders before any decision is made.