Kelvedon

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.833
longitude= 0.699
official_name= Kelvedon
population = 4,593 [ [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/census2001/ks_urban_south_east_part_1.pdf Key Statistics for urban areas in the South East] . 2001 Census, National Statistics. Retrieved on February 11, 2007.]
shire_district= Braintree
shire_county = Essex
region= East of England
constituency_westminster=
post_town= COLCHESTER
postcode_district= CO5
postcode_area=CO
dial_code= 01376
os_grid_reference= TL85911843

Kelvedon is a village and civil parish in Essex, England, near to the town of Witham.

Origins

The existing village of Kelvedon has been a settlement since the early Middle Ages, though it stands near (and partly on) the site of a Roman settlement, probably Canonium. Kelvedon expanded significantly in the Victorian era. The reason was the Norwich - London railway, making it a place to live yet get to work as train was the only fast method of transport. Victorian Kelvedon was set along one street - The High Street. In the 1930s, with the advent of the car the High Street became the A12, the main road through Essex. Ribbon development saw houses sprawl along the road for miles. The village suffered major congestion until the bypass was built in the 1960s. Suburbanization started to take place in the 1980s - a large development called Riverside Park was constructed containing hundreds of homes.

Kelvedon Today

Kelvedon is a large village with lots of green space and great transport links. The village is bounded to the north by the river Blackwater where the adjacent village of Feering starts. Kelvedon contains a school called Kelvedon St Mary's.The school is very popular and has pupils coming from all around.

Kelvedon and Feering has most recently been threatened by the A120 proposal to construct a new motorway to the north of the village although there are other plans to shift the road to the opposite end of the village and have the road join the A12 at Kelvedon. This motorway will stretch from the current A12 near Marks Tey to Braintree "cutting travelling time to Stansted by an hour". The Environment Agency has not released information concerning new routes, which has angered some local residents, who oppose the new proposals.

In October 2001, Kelvedon (and surrounding villages) were hit by a serious flood which resulted in millions of pounds of damage being caused to private and public buildings. Amongst private dwellings, 2 businesses were badly affected - The Railway Tavern public house and a local family garage, Deal of Kelvedon. The flood was blamed on the Environment Agency, who it is alleged closed flood gates in the village to prevent the nearby A12 trunk road from flooding. This has never been proved, but is widely believed to have been the cause. No official investigation was ever carried out.

Kelvedon hosts, annually, a free Music Festival.

Transport

Kelvedon railway station is on the London Liverpool St. line with trains every 20 mins approximately. It is also served by the 71 First Bus service Chelmsford - Colchester route. The A12 has links with the rest of East Anglia & The North.

Trivia

C.H. Spurgeon known as the "Prince of Preachers" was born here on June 19, 1834

References

External links

* [http://www.kelvedonfreemusicfestival.co.uk Kelvedon Free Music Festival]