IT was close but in the end Harlow Council voted through plans to build a Junction 7a of the M11.

The motion was carried 19 votes to 13 at a special council meeting on Wednesday, August 31.

Th meeting lasted for three hours with councillors on all sides of the political divide expressing their opinions on the junction.

Many residents of Old Harlow were at the meeting, all of them acutely aware that life for them will never be the same again as the route will take what is a country road from Sheering to Mark Hall into a major highway.

Here is the film of the meeting.

Amongst the speeches made:

Councillor Jon Clempner, leader of Harlow Council, backed plans unveiled by Essex County Council in May and said: “It is the right long term solution.

“Harlow requires this junction as it provides a different access point and it will provide relief from junction 7 itself.”

Essex County Council is expected to give junction 7a final approval after months of consultations. Works could begin later this year and be completed by 2021.

Councillor Tony Durcan, portfolio holder for regeneration and enterprise, said: “I want 7a and I want it now.

“I sit on (the current road) every day and I know the misery that hundreds of local people suffer. People cannot get in and out of town and now is the time to make that change.”

A new roundabout will also be constructed to cope with the influx of traffic expected when the motorway link is completed in 2021. Gilden Way would be widened with a third lane planned for traffic entering the town.

Councillor Joel Charles said: “I believe the plan to connect M11 junction 7a to Harlow should be abandoned and an alternative proposal should be considered.”

Country road Gilden Way is set to be turned into a three-lane carriageway after councillors passed M11 junction 7a in a knife edge vote.

Old Harlow residents strongly opposed the development which will lead to a 71 per cent increase of traffic along roads near Sheering.

However, a majority of councillors considered the junction necessary for easing congestion at junction 7 and essential to the town’s economic development.

The motion was carried 19 votes to 13 at a special council meeting on Wednesday, August 31.

Councillor Jon Clempner, leader of Harlow Council, backed plans unveiled by Essex County Council in May and said: “It is the right long term solution.

“Harlow requires this junction as it provides a different access point and it will provide relief from junction 7 itself.”

Essex County Council is expected to give junction 7a final approval after months of consultations. Works could begin later this year and be completed by 2021.

Councillor Tony Durcan, portfolio holder for regeneration and enterprise, said: “I want 7a and I want it now.

“I sit on (the current road) every day and I know the misery that hundreds of local people suffer. People cannot get in and out of town and now is the time to make that change.”

A new roundabout will also be constructed to cope with the influx of traffic expected when the motorway link is completed in 2021. Gilden Way would be widened with a third lane planned for traffic entering the town.

Councillor Joel Charles said: “I believe the plan to connect M11 junction 7a to Harlow should be abandoned and an alternative proposal should be considered.”

The motion suggested moving the connecting road from Gilden Way but was rejected. Cllr Charles later tweeted: “Disappointed by the result but determined to keep fighting for Old Harlow.”

Residents have raised complaints about noise and congestion since the first talk of a junction in 1998. Among many to be present at the meeting was Robert Groves, chairman of Old Harlow Neighbourhood Action Panel.

He said afterwards: “This was a very disappointing result.”

Councillor Bill Pryor, leader of Harlow UKIP group, said: “These plans are totally unacceptable. What is being suggested is second best.”

Concerns about pollution, an increased number of lorries and about the safety of children were also raised.

Councillor Rodney Bass, county council cabinet member for infrastructure, said County Hall has tried to address Old Harlow residents’ complaints by lowering speed limits and improving pedestrian access.

Members generally agreed a bypass is needed to the north of Harlow to better relieve the town of traffic and councillor Mike Danvers said the best option was to follow this road.

However, this would cost more money than is currently available and a waiting time of 30 years was suggested.

Cllr Jon Clempner concluded: “This is the only way we are going to get the junction in the short to medium term and it increased the likeliness we are going to get a bypass in the future.”

Read more at http://www.harlowstar.co.uk/m11-junction-7a-passed-at-harlow-council-meeting/story-29676261-detail/story.html#UBl20Yir3wtMW7Iz.99