A NEW programme of maintaining Harlow’s roundabouts is set to be launched early in the new year, which will restore pride with improved maintenance, at no extra cost to the council. 

Harlow Council has agreed to enter into a contract with Community Partners Ltd who will secure sponsorship of roundabouts and maintain them. Not only will the landscape maintenance of the town’s 36 roundabouts be improved, but the council will also receive a regular income stream and save the money they had previously paid to maintain the roundabouts.

The company will carry out up to 12 maintenance visits per year to each roundabout, whether sponsored or not, with at least 10 visits during March to October. In the winter additional visits will include tidying, cleaning and maintaining signs and dealing with litter 

The March to October visits will include:

• Grass cuts 
• Strimming 
• Bush and tree clipping and trimming 
• Weeding
• Litter picking 
• Weed and moss spraying on hard surfaces 

The maintenance programme will be at a frequency that exceeds the current standard, while integrating tree and shrub maintenance and weed control on hard surfaces.

Councillor Russell Perrin, Leader of Harlow Council, said: 

“Harlow is famous for its roundabouts, but we can all see that their regular maintenance has sadly been lacking. We are working hard to restore pride in our town by improving the way we maintain the environment. The council is responsible for the maintenance of the landscape on the town’s roundabouts and as I have always said restoring pride must start with the work that we do. 

“We have found a cost-effective way where we can exceed the current maintenance of all roundabouts in the town and it won’t cost us a penny extra. In fact through this arrangement with Community Partners we will save money and it will bring in a regular income which can help support other services that we provide. I would like to thank councillors for their work on this initiative. 

“Community Partners are an experienced company that work with councils across the country to manage advertising and sponsorship of assets and generate additional income. We are looking forward to working with them to restore pride in our town’s roundabouts.”

The new maintenance programme is due to start in the new year in time for spring, subject to the contract being finalised.