The zebra crossing in Victoria Road is set to be upgraded to a Puffin Crossing. 

The crossing, which is popular with pedestrians between Chelmsford Station and the city centre, will be improved to a push-button signalised Puffin crossing.

A puffin crossing is a pedestrian crossing where the lights controlling the pedestrians are by the push button rather than on the opposite side of the road.

Cllr Eddie Johnson, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “This new crossing will improve traffic flow at this busy city centre junction as the zebra crossing at peak times can cause traffic to build up around the mini roundabout and the junction with Duke Street.”

The work is funded by developers under a ‘Section 106 agreement’ as part of planning conditions.

Work will be undertaken at night to minimise disruption to traffic and is due to start Monday 23 May.

The work is anticipated to take approximately six weeks to complete.

During the overnight works, traffic will be maintained by temporary traffic lights.

The Zebra Crossing will be closed completely during the period of the works, but pedestrians will be able to cross at a temporary traffic light controlled crossing.

Essex County Council Highways will fund and carry out road surfacing from the junction with Victoria Road South to the access to Chelmsford Station, which will require temporary full road closures.

Details on the scheme, including the latest information on road restrictions and advance closures will be available on the Essex County Council website under Other Schemes, and will be advertised on local signage.