Plans to cut park and ride services

Park and ride services could be cut back in Chelmsford, under plans proposed by the local authority.

A public consultation has been launched by Essex County Council, which suggests removing the entire service on Saturdays at the Chelmer Valley site, as well as cutting back late evening services.

The council has also proposed reducing customer support at the two sites - Chelmer Valley and Sandon - during non-peak hours.

Tom Cunningham, the councillor responsible for highways, infrastructure and sustainable travel, said, "no decisions have been made yet."

The consultation also suggests the option of a new £2 student ticket.

The Chelmer Valley site runs two park and ride services – one to Chelmsford city centre and a half-hourly shuttle service to Broomfield Hospital.

The route to the hospital was closed during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019 but was brought back last August.

At the time, Matthew Hopkins, chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said the park and ride scheme would "make a positive difference to staff and patients" and would "take the stress out of finding a space and easing parking pressure at Broomfield Hospital".

The consultation – which launched following a review of passenger numbers – runs until 30 April.

The council will review the results ahead of a new contract for services to and from Chelmer Valley and Sandon starting in March 2026.

Mr Cunningham added: "We want park and ride users to help us shape our service so it works for them and us."

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