Chelmsford Local Information
Practical local information for Chelmsford: bin collection days, parking, council tax bands and planning, each one linked back to the official source.
Top story
Chelmsford Roadworks: A12 Shut Nightly to Friday 9 October
The A12 northbound shuts 9pm to 5am nightly to Friday 9 October, its final phase. Mildmay Road is shut, Hall Street is two-way and half term adds five closures.
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Chelmsford bin days: garden waste £62, no Monday rounds
Chelmsford's seven containers and which week each goes out. Garden waste is £62 a year, large items £31, and no collection round in the city runs on a Monday.
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Parking in Chelmsford: Waterhouse Lane is free at weekends
Waterhouse Lane costs nothing from 6pm Friday to 8am Monday. Full 2026 tariffs for every Chelmsford council car park, resident permits at £28.60, on-street rates.
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Chelmsford council tax 2026/27: £2,256.84 at band D
Every band A to H for 2026/27, from £1,504.56 to £4,513.68 in the city centre, what each of the 29 parishes adds, and why Danbury pays £154 more than Mashbury.
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Chelmsford house prices: £382,000 average, area by area
The average Chelmsford home sold for £382,000 and the district median was £398,000. Medians for the city centre, Danbury, Writtle and South Woodham Ferrers.
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Chelmsford to London trains: 29 minutes, £5,204 a year
The fastest train reaches Liverpool Street in 29 minutes. Journey times, 2026 fares, the 00:18 last train home, and what Beaulieu Park station changed.
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Things to do in Chelmsford: free Hylands, £4 museum
Hylands park and the cathedral are free, the museum is £4 and Hyde Hall £18.40. Verified 2026 prices, opening times and the remaining Open Estate Day dates.
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Chelmsford planning: 3.88 years of housing land, not 5
Chelmsford has 3.88 years of housing land against a five-year duty, and a target up 51% to 1,210 homes a year. The Local Plan is now at examination.
Bins
Chelmsford Christmas Bin Collections 2026/27: What to Expect
The 2026 Christmas bin dates are not out yet. Last year every Chelmsford round moved, with three Saturday catch-ups; here is each round's shift and what to expect.
Schools
Chelmsford School Term Dates 2026/27, and Where Schools Differ
Essex schools break up on Friday 18 December and half term is 26 to 30 October. KEGS, County High and Great Baddow High add their own INSET days; all listed here.
Trains
Chelmsford Christmas Trains 2026: What Is Known So Far
No 2026 Christmas rail plan is out yet. Last year Chelmsford trains ran only to Stratford from 27 December to 1 January, and stopped by 10pm on Christmas Eve.
Recycling
Chelmsford Tip Opening Times: Drovers Way and South Woodham
Drovers Way opens 9am to 4pm daily from 16 October; South Woodham Ferrers shuts Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Booking rules, DIY limits and Christmas hours.
Half term
Chelmsford October Half Term 2026: Dates and What's On
Half term in Chelmsford is Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026. Free science shows at ARU, Brainiac Live, £6 museum crafts and Halloween at Marsh Farm, dated.