M12 - Pretty self explanatory. Pretty ridiculous that the A12 isn't a motorway, never mind it hasn't even been upgraded. Does feel like the government is punishing Essex for voting Tory/Reform by cancelling major schemes like the A12 widening. But it needs to be widened the whole length from Brentwood, not just from Chelmsford. The M12 would be built on an entirely new alignment which would probably be cheaper (and easier) than widening the existing A12. The old A12 would be returned to grassland/narrowed to a two way road, or even changed to allow some sort of rapid transit system between towns.

A127 - Another totally subpar road for the population it serves. There would be a new A127 northern bypass around Basildon and Wickford, and then becoming a northern bypass of Southend (which is being proposed by the council there anyway). The existing A127 in Basildon would become a local road, and from Rayleigh Weir it would become an extension of the A13.

A120 - upgraded and dualled between the M12 at Marks Tey and Braintree, a continuous dual carriageway from Colchester to the M11.

I’m hoping this doesn’t break any rules, but I started a company this year and have put on and am in this show in Harlow and tomorrow we have a pay what you can show so those struggling financially at the moment are still able to take their kids to the theatre, as low as £1 entry. I understand this is a late notice post but thought better later than never. Shows are approximately an hour long and you each have a free photo op with the cast after the show.

Hi all, we currently live in Hornchurch, flat is on the market and was looking to move to south woodham, we like it a lot but houses in Benfleet seem a lot more affordable for us. I’ve never been there but could be swayed if it’s nice.

What’s the area like generally? We have 2 children age 7+4 also.

Thanks for any input

Let's hear about your favourite Essex places, special memories and experiences, historical or current famous figures...

This made me so angry to read.

I grew up in Harlow and drove through it this afternoon for the first time in a few weeks.

Could the 'patriot' who put the flags up on all the poles please either remove or replace them? The council have committed to not removing them, which I agree with as taxpayers money is better spent elsewhere, but they are all tattered and knackered and are a proper eyesore. It's borderline littering at this point and does nothing for the image of the town.

Be patriotic enough to replace them or responsible enough to remove the tatty flags that you have left all over town.

I am 23 years old male from southend on sea and would love to make new friends, if your interested message me!

Looking at areas to move to in Essex and wanted to get thoughts on Wickford especially around Barn Hall. Not really familiar with the area.

Any advice on how to go about making some new friends? I’m a first time mum, to a little girl (5 months), I’m new to Essex moving from the midlands and I have no friends and can’t seem to make any :(

Hi, we’re four friends putting together restaurants across Essex in an app called Vota. We’ve already got a lot of ratings from Essex locals, so feel free to browse the current take on the area.

The idea is simple: you’re shown two restaurants and choose where you’d rather eat. For example: two very different places like Talbooth Restaurant in Dedham or Oldhams of Westcliff? The votes then create a ranking that we hope gives a better picture of where people actually enjoy eating.

We’re trying to include as many restaurants as possible and clean up duplicate or outdated listings, but locals will spot things we’ve missed.

iPhone:
https://apps.apple.com/app/vota/id6744969212

Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vota.app

Full transparency: we’re not from Essex. Two of us live in Copenhagen and two in Sweden. The four of us are building Vota independently. We don’t collect or sell personal data, there are no ads in the app, and we don’t use AI-generated restaurant opinions.

No need to rate anything, feel free to just browse. Where do you like to eat in Essex?

I ask as part of a linguistic study covering this topic!
Examples could include things like Clackers, BTown, Rommo or Vonjay (never mind how common they are)...

Wonder how many musicians, singers, songwriters and producers are on here?

Hi the Braintree council site is double Dutch to me.

I am on a unclassified road,

So I don't think I need planning permission,

But I need to complete an application form?

Costing £272

Where do I get a location plan and block plan from (their examples look professonal)?

How do I serve notice to Essex county council?

Anyone do this? What's the cost to drop the kerb after paying the planning request?

Hi all, I'm a student journalist looking to write a story on foraging around Epping Forest, and to talk to someone who actively takes up foraging as a hobby. If anyone would be interested in a short interview to talk about why you forage and what you do to work around the legalities of it, please let me know!!

Hi there, I am doing an Epping forest walk for my birthday with a bunch of friends (will be a larger group of 10-20 people.

I'm thinking about doing the Oak trail, but I'd like to do it in reverse so there's a pub stop at the forest gate on the way. After we can either walk to Epping station or continue on the oak trail back to Theyden Bois.

Does this make sense as a path? I can only find online resources about doing the oak trail in the opposite direction.

Are there any other walks in Epping forest you'd recommend? We ideally want to be walking for 2-3 hours, everyone relatively fit but some people might be pregnant or with kids, so want to keep it pretty easy.

Would appreciate any help! Thanks so much.

Is east bergholt a nice place to live??

Having an alternative Christmas with the family and we fancy some takeaway. Many thanks in advance.

Hi everyone, does anyone have a child who attends Colchester County High School for Girls but lives in Benfleet/rayleigh area and can share how they travel there and back each day please?

My daughter has recently done her 11+ and whilst she always had her heart set on Westcliff, she scored highly enough for CCHSG and would like to consider it. I’m just wanting to weigh up travel options before we potentially write it off.

Thank you!

I am looking for 2 pints of double cream from a local producer around Southend does anyone recommend a local farmers market or local producer?

Me and my family have just moved to Benfleet from canvey

First off we can't believe how quiet it is here we have been sleeping like babies minus our baby keeping us up all night

Are there any recommendations on parks for the kids or restaurants barbers chip shops ?

I know canvey isn't a thousand miles away but It does feel different in a way

On October 25th, We're looking for stuff to do for a few hours between Cambridge and Harwich.

We're flying in to Stansted and taking the train to Cambridge to pick up a car. Car should be bought at around 1pm - 2pm.

We're driving it to Harwich, where the boat to mainland EU leaves at 10pm. The drive shouldn't take more than 2.5 hours. This gives us 7 or so hours to kill.

We're both proper blokes who love old machines and mechanical stuff. If anyone has some recommendations for something we'd like, please share!

Ideas:

- Karting track

- War / car / plane museum

- Good driving road

- Spot to take pictures of the new car

- Somewhere to grab dinner