Marsh Way Active Travel Scheme Consultation

Closed 31 Mar 2025

Opened 4 Mar 2025

Contact

schemes@havering.gov.uk

Feedback updated 18 Sep 2025

We asked

Between 4 March and 31 March 2025, we ran a consultation to gather your views on a proposed active travel scheme for Marsh Way in Rainham.

The Council is committed to encouraging more sustainable travel, with a goal of increasing the number of residents walking, cycling, or using public transport to 65% by 2041.

Marsh Way is a key route linking major housing and employment regeneration areas in Rainham. However, the road is currently busy and lacks dedicated cycling infrastructure, making it challenging for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers to share the space safely. Businesses in the London Riverside Business Improvement District have also reported difficulties in attracting and retaining staff due to limited travel options beyond car use.

To address these issues, we proposed creating a continuous and safe walking and cycling route connecting the A1306/Marsh Way with nearby new housing developments, commercial areas, and the proposed Beam Park railway station. This route would also improve access to jobs in the London Riverside Business Improvement District.

The aim is to offer a practical alternative to car travel, making it easier for people to commute sustainably.

You said

46 responses were received to the online consultation:

 

  • Nearly half of the responses (46%) were from the RM13 postcode area, where Marsh Way is situated.
  • Over half of those responding (62%), travel on Marsh Way either a few times a week or every day. 3 respondents have never travelled on Marsh Way.
  • The majority of respondents travel this route by car (37 people), and/or by bike (10), and/or by bus (6), 4 people travel on foot and 2 by van or lorry
  • Just over half of respondents agreed with the principle of the scheme (54%), 30% did not agree and 15% were neutral.

Respondents were asked to provide their opinions on specific elements of the proposed scheme:

 

  • 21 respondents (46%) agreed with the proposal for a two-way cycle track and footway, 17 (37%) did not agree and 8 respondents (17%) were neutral.

 

  • 21 respondents (46%) agreed with the proposal to relocate the bus-stop on the southbound carriageway of Marsh Way, 16 (35%) did not agree and 9 respondents (20%) were neutral.

 

  • 25 respondents (54%) agreed with the proposal to make the section of the walking and cycling route through the Centre of Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) a shared use facility (meaning it can be used by both pedestrians and cyclists), 13 (28%) did not agree and 8 respondents (17%) were neutral.

 

  • 29 respondents (63%) agreed with the proposal to improve the pedestrian crossing at the junction of Marsh Way and the exit road from the CEME site, 10 (22%) did not agree and 7 respondents (15%) were neutral.

We did

The results have been reviewed and recorded and have helped to inform our Business Case that has been submitted to the Thames Freeport, in order to secure the necessary funding  to deliver this project.

Overview

Havering Council is looking for your views on a proposed walking and cycling improvement scheme along Marsh Way in Rainham.

Why is the scheme being proposed? 

The Council has an ambitious target to increase the proportion of residents walking, cycling or using public transport to 65% by 2041.

Marsh Way provides an important connection between key housing and employment regeneration areas in Rainham. The road is busy with no existing cycling facilities, making it difficult for cyclists, pedestrians and other traffic to flow alongside each other safely.

Marsh Way connects into the London Riverside Business Improvement District, and many businesses struggle to retain staff because it is difficult to access the area other than by car. Delivery of this walking and cycling improvement scheme will provide an alternative for employees wanting to travel to work without having to use a private vehicle.

The Proposal 

The Project aim is to provide a continuous and safe walking and cycling route between the A1306 and adjacent new housing and commercial areas, including the proposed Beam Park railway station, to the employment opportunities in the London Riverside Business Improvement District.

 

The proposed scheme includes the introduction of a segregated cycle route between the A1306 New Road/ Marsh Way and the A13 to the south. From here the route will continue as a shared-use cycle route to the Centre of Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) Innovation Campus and to the industrial areas at London Riverside Business Improvement District (BID).

Additionally, this will involve:

  • Reducing Marsh Way to a single vehicle lane in the south-bound direction from A1306 New Road, before widening to two lanes again at the roundabout with Consul Avenue/A13.
  • Widening of the footway to provide a comfortable and accessible pedestrian path.
  • Upgrades to bus stop infrastructure.
  • New shared crossings along the road within the CEME Campus.
  • Raising the junction at Marsh Way / CEME site exit with a new pedestrian and cyclist parallel crossing.
  • Improvements to existing lighting where it is currently not sufficient, including along the Marsh Way underpass and the shared path near the junction with Consul Avenue.
  • New signage and road markings to direct cyclists and pedestrians.

Benefits to the Community 

The project will have a range of benefits for the Havering community:

  • Improved walking and cycling infrastructure providing a safe and continuous cycle connection.
  • Increased use of cycling facilities will provide mental and physical health benefits and potentially some reductions in vehicle traffic and improvements to air quality.
  • Increased safety for cyclists and a reduction in road traffic collisions involving cyclists.
  • Improved connectivity into the London Riverside Business Improvement District comprising 450 businesses and 5,000 employees.

Audiences

  • Businesses
  • Communities
  • Cyclists
  • Developers
  • Drivers
  • Joggers
  • Pedestrians
  • Planners
  • Public Transport Users
  • Residents
  • Residents
  • Road Users
  • Tenants
  • Van and Lorry drivers

Interests

  • Air Quality
  • Businesses
  • Communities
  • Congestion
  • Development
  • Environment
  • Environmentally Friendly
  • Highways
  • Housing
  • Licence applications
  • Local Plans
  • Parking
  • Public Health
  • Residents
  • Roads
  • Tenants
  • Traffic