Possible Clues:

• Way Essex town's character served as aid to progress
• I get one across: opening test's quietly resolved
• Aid to progress, one bordering streets round Essex town
• A rung on the ladder of life (2 words)
• Measure sound of glass gem? Presumably, this will get you over one's fear of water!
• Way Essex town's character is an aid to progress?
• Two streets surrounding forest, one providing a means of progress
• Two ways in which Forest has one means of advancement
• A couple of streets round Essex town this person means to cross
• In current situation, it helps to get one across