BOLD plans to connect Halstead with villages across the district have received backing from councillors.

Halstead Town Council has said it supports plans to build a cycle path between Halstead and Kelvedon.

Councillors met on Monday 14 December to discuss a report detailing the plans.

The plans were first proposed in January for a new cycle lane which would connect Earls Colne to Coggeshall.

However, the plans have since grown to encompass Halstead and Kelvedon after landowners showed a willingness to get involved.

The overall goal of the plans to to create a segregated cycle path near to the A1124 to offer better and safer facilities for cyclists.

It is believed the route from Halstead to Earls Colne would go to Station Road in Earls Colne down to Elms Hall Road and Langley Mill in Colne Engaine.

The route would then follow he old railway track to Halstead and head across the A1124 to reach the town centre.

After reviewing the plans, Halstead town councillors said they support the cycle route idea.

Councillors Malcolm Fincken and Janet Atkinson were nominated by the council to work with EC2K, who made the proposals.

Mayor Mick Radley said: “I’m pleased to report that draft plans for a new cycle route between Halstead and Earls Colne have been put forward by the EC2K voluntary cycling group who are currently working on a route between Earls Colne and Kelvedon.

"At a meeting on Monday a report was put forward to the town council with initial ideas and proposals for review and comment.

"The council would like to thank the EC2K group for their work in compiling these ideas.

"We enthusiastically welcomed the prospect of connecting Halstead to this new cycle route.

"There are many hurdles to overcome and funding to be secured but this is a significant opportunity for the future leisure and connectivity of the town.

"This project also opens the future opportunity to look at further extending the route towards the town from where the proposed current route ends near the crossing of the A1124.

"The council has nominated Cllr. Janet Atkinson and Cllr. Malcolm Fincken to join the group and work with them to help deliver this challenging long-term project.

"Other neighbouring councils are also nominating members to join the group.

"We look forward to seeing this exciting project come to fruition for the benefit of all.”