Images have been released of how Chelmsford's vital army and navy junction will look once remodelling work has been completed.

They come amid three separate planning applications – one for the Army and Navy junction and one each for the Park and Ride expansions at Sandon and Chelmer Valley – are submitted by Essex Highways.

As part of the planning process, people will have 21 days to comment on the applications, with decisions on the applications anticipated in the Spring. The plans come after a hamburger roundabout design was formally approved by Essex County Council as a preferred option.

The new roundabout will predominantly have three lanes around the circulatory, while there will be two lanes in each direction on the road through the middle of the roundabout (Photo: LDRS)

Traffic will be able to travel straight through the centre of the junction between Essex Yeomanry Way and Parkway. Other journeys will be made using the roundabout, with traffic signals used to manage traffic.

The roundabout will predominantly have three lanes around the circulatory, while there will be two lanes in each direction on the road through the middle of the central island between Parkway and Essex Yeomanry Way. A signalled left-turn slip road will be created between Chelmer Road and Essex Yeomanry Way.

Fully segregated cycle lanes and direct crossings are proposed, and new bus lanes and bus priority measures will be added in both directions on Parkway and the bus lane will be extended on Essex Yeomanry Way. (Photo: LDRS)

Essex County Council says the proposed design will "significantly" improve walking and cycling facilities at ground level at the junction, replacing the current subway and creating attractive, safe and accessible routes.

The council says average journey times for cyclists will be 44 per cent quicker, bus journey times will be about 40 per cent faster on average, journeys will be 53 per cent quicker on average for motorised vehicles and walking through the junction at ground level will be about 11 per cent quicker on average.

There are also proposed designs for an upgrade and approximate 350-space expansion of the existing Sandon Park and Ride site to meet increased future demand.

Based on the current programme, which assumes the necessary land can be obtained through negotiations with the owners, the council is aiming to submit a final business case to the Department for Transport in autumn 2024, with construction of the package scheduled to start in spring 2025 and be completed in early 2028. The sequencing of the construction of the different elements of the package is yet to be agreed.

In October last year, the Department for Transport confirmed the outline business case for the project had been approved and Essex County Council would be awarded £68.75 million of Major Road Network (MRN) funding.

The £81 million project is also being partly funded by Essex County Council and Chelmsford City Council.

Councillor Lesley Wagland OBE, Essex County Council's Deputy to the Leader with principal accountabilities on Major Infrastructure Projects and Freeports, said: "We are delighted to have reached another milestone for what will be a truly transformational project for Chelmsford.

"After a huge amount of hard work assessing options, developing our proposals and securing conditional funding for the scheme, it is fantastic to have now submitted planning applications.

"The Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package will deliver enormous benefits; improving journey times, reducing delays and supporting economic growth in the area.

"We also need to provide better options for people to travel, especially for shorter journeys where we want walking or cycling to be a natural choice. This project will do just that, helping encourage people to travel in and around the city in safer, greener, and healthier ways."

Vicky Ford MP, Member of Parliament for Chelmsford, said: "Chelmsford is a growing and thriving city and deserves first-class infrastructure.  Tackling the long-standing issue with the Army and Navy Junction is an absolute priority.

"Plans for the Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package, including the new junction, took a huge step forward when we were able to secure the £68.75 million in funding from the Government in November.

"I am delighted that the planning applications have now been submitted. This is excellent news for people all across Chelmsford. The scheme will reduce congestion and boost economic growth across our city."

Edited by Chloe Brewster