There are plans afoot which could make travel from Maldon into Chelmsford easier, smoother - and more environmentally friendly.

Plans to expand Sandon Park and Ride are being developed as part of Essex County Council's strategy to improve travel into and out of Chelmsford.

Proposals for the further development of the scheme are being looked at alongside options for the Army and Navy junction. A shortlist of options for the infamous traffic blackspot will be put to public consultation in the summer.

The possibility of a new two-way flyover has been ruled out because of pollution concerns, visual and noise impact, its potential to encourage more car use, questions over how it would aid congestion and the fact that the construction process would cause a lengthy further period of disruption.

The shortlist of potential options now includes:

-separate T-junctions

-a hamburger roundabout (these have a road going through the layout)

-an enlarged roundabout.

However, Essex County Council has said there is still some finalisation of plans to be made before the public consultation goes ahead.

The expansion of Sandon Park and Ride is considered as connected to the Army and Navy plans as part of a plan to improve 'sustainable' transport to and in the city, with encouragement of cycling, walking and public transport options. The development of a new Park and Ride facility at Widford is also a possibility.

Councillor Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: "The Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package represents an opportunity to provide people with greater travel options and to encourage safer, greener and healthier ways of getting around Chelmsford, especially for shorter journeys where we want walking and cycling to be the natural choice.

"With an expansion of Sandon Park and Ride, a potential new Park and Ride site at Widford, pedestrian and cycle route improvements, and layout improvements at the Army and Navy junction all included as part of this project, the scheme will provide a long-term and sustainable solution that will help to make Chelmsford a city of the future."

More information about the plans is available through the link here.