NEXT week, Essex County Council’s Cabinet is set to approve an agreement with Hertfordshire County Council to unlock over £170m of Government funding to transform Harlow’s transport infrastructure and enable major housing developments, bringing thousands of new jobs and homes to the area.

The Housing Investment Grant will fund vital transport improvements for existing residents and businesses, and for the proposed 8,500 home development at Gilston as part of the exciting vision for the future of Harlow Gilston Garden Town.

A key element of this is making sustainable travel a good option for people to improve our health as a county, tackle climate change, and improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion in Harlow. As part of the grant, ECC will receive £42m funding to deliver:

• A new sustainable travel corridor linking the proposed Gilston development to Harlow town centre and the railway station, including a redesigned junction at Burnt Mill;
• A new junction at Cambridge Road, to connect the east of Harlow to the new development and also provide additional access to the Temple Fields Enterprise Zone, making it an even more attractive location for businesses.

This is the first phase of an ambitious network of Sustainable Transport Corridors across Harlow that will provide a network of bus priority, segregated cycling and walking routes linking the major employment, housing, retail, education, and healthcare facilities across the town.

The remaining Housing Investment Grant funds will be used to build two new road crossings over the River Stort and the railway line, and replace River Way Bridge, to improve connectivity around the town, the new housing developments and the Enterprise Zone. 

Leader of Essex County Council, Cllr David Finch said: “We are delighted to have secured over £170m of investment by the Government to improve transport in and around Harlow. This will deliver vital infrastructure for local residents and businesses, enabling the proposed housing developments and boosting jobs and growth.

“I would like to thank Homes England, Hertfordshire County Council and all partners involved thus far. This is another big step for major sustainable infrastructure in our county and the people of Harlow in particular.”

MP for Harlow, Robert Halfon said: “ I’m really pleased that Essex County Council and Hertfordshire County Council have come together for the mutual benefit of our residents to secure this funding.

“The £171 million will help to create tens of thousands of new jobs and homes and deliver better infrastructure for our community. The improvements to the transport and road links are yet more proof that we are building an even better Harlow.” 

I’ve worked hard alongside Essex County Council to secure this major investment and I pay special tribute to Harlow’s County Councillors; Cllr Michael Hardware, Cllr Clive Souter, Cllr Mike Garnett and Cllr Eddie Johnson for their great work on this hugely important project for our town.”