A £3.5 million cycleway is being planned linking Havering and Brentwood.

The proposed A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme involves creating a new one-mile shared-use walking and cycling path on the southern side of the A1023 London Road between close to the Brook Street roundabout (junction 28 of the M25) and Kavanaghs Road in Brentwood.

The plans are currently being developed and will be consulted on once finalised.

However, Brentwood councillor Will Russell said he has concerns the cycleway will not be widely used and the money could be used better elsewhere.

He also has concerns over early plans and how they could create pinch points along the road which will interfere with traffic.

He said: “I have concerns but we will wait to see what comes out in the consultation. I don’t think people are going to be using it. At the end of the day, I’m not sure that is the best route.”

Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and sustainable transport, said: “We want to support more people of all ages and abilities to cycle more safely and more often, particularly for shorter journeys.

“The proposed A1023 Brentwood Walking and Cycling Scheme would provide a much-improved route for people walking or cycling between Brentwood and Havering, and help encourage safer, greener and healthier travel.

“Consent for National Highways’ M25 Junction 28 Improvements project required a cycle route to be provided from Brentwood, through the junction and into Havering.

“We are currently developing designs for the Brentwood section of the route on behalf of National Highways and will shortly be publishing further details and encouraging feedback from the local community as part of a public consultation.”