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![eftag [logo] - Epping Forest Transport Action Group](https://eftag.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/eftag-logo-square-white-on-green-1024x1024.webp)
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We hope you find these updates from Epping Forest Transport Action Group useful. Please drop us an email if you'd like to get more involved, new volunteers are always welcome!
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Epping New Road (A104)
Essex Highways are now completing their designs for the Epping New Road. Removal of the existing narrow cycle lanes is welcome, but somehow they’ve come up with a scheme that will make the road even more hazardous.
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Travel Essex ‘Love your Bus’ grants
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What should your town or parish council do to improve local bus services if they had up to £50,000 to spend? If you think you know, please write to your parish councillor, and make sure they’re aware the Travel Essex grant application window is closing soon. Despite lack of time to respond, three parish/town councils are working hard on potentially viable bids with County Councillor endorsement and with two operators. Themes include reinstating a severed bus link from Waltham Abbey south towards Chingford which could also get Chingford resident support, new live bus displays, subsidised school travel for pupils just outside free ECC bus service zones and increasing service on a rural to urban ‘shopper/market’ service.
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Dust off your bikes for spring
These family-friendly Sunday rides leave from Wanstead Park Tea Hut, which is a 10 minute cycle from Snaresbrook station, so easy to access if you’re in reach of the Central Line. Suitable for all abilities and bike styles. Bring own snacks / lunch / picnic (or use the cafe stops on route).
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Sunday 2nd March - William Morris Gallery and Walthamstow Wetlands - 14 miles /22 km
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Sunday 16th March - Olympic Park - 10 miles /15km - afternoon only
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Fix fares for good
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Making rail fares affordable, clear and fair would encourage more people on board. And when more people travel by train, everyone benefits from clearer roads, a stronger economy, cleaner air and lower carbon emissions. The Campaign for Better Transport explains how you can help.
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Living Streets needs you
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UK charity Living Streets (originally founded as the Pedestrians’ Association) is 95 years old, but urgently needs your financial help if it’s to survive. Take a look at their Emergency Appeal for details.
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More local news
Essex County Council (ECC) are consulting on a new air quality strategy for the county. Please respond, it’s important to show that residents in Epping Forest care – for ourselves and to protect the Forest as well!
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ECC’s county-wide (inter-town) local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP) consultation has closed – EFDC commented around lack of account taken of emerging Local Plan sites and certain important settlements like North Weald (to Epping) seeing no attention. LCWIPs for Waltham Abbey, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell have moved into a design phase, but we’ve heard there might only be 2-3 routes per settlement, which we’re worried might not make a sufficiently viable network to attract Active Travel England funding.
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ECC, Thurrock and Southend councils – Greater Essex – have been accepted as a future devolved authority, This could herald a huge positive change for transport in the area – a unitary authority would have localised and integrated control over Highways, including active travel schemes and bus services.
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Thanks!
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Our next in-person meeting is on the 27th February, please reply to this email for more details.
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The EFTAG newsletter team
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