Old Harlow councillor responds to concerns over Churchgate Street following number of road traffic collisions

News / Tue 8th Oct 2024 at 07:24pm

COUNCILLOR Joel Charles has responded to concerns about road safety in Churchgate Street after a 4×4 truck smashed into a cottage.

Cllr Charles said: “The serious collision that took place in Churchgate Street on Friday is an important reminder that road safety must always be taken seriously.

“I met the occupier of the cottage and their neighbours to learn more about what happened. The vehicle clearly hit the cottage at high speed – I was shocked to see the full extent of the damage.

“Although it is not possible to completely guard against the actions of reckless drivers, I do think consideration should be given to placing a speed warning sign on the near approach to the bend where Friday’s collision took place to warn oncoming vehicles. There is also a strong case for bollards to be placed on the public footpath next to the cottage to provide physical protection.

“Cllr Garnett, Old Harlow’s county representative, is urgently working with highways officials to review road safety in Churchgate Street as he recognises residents have recently encountered too many speed related incidents.

“Residents have long advocated that Churchgate Street should be a 20mph zone – I agree with them. A new speed survey needs to be commissioned by Essex Highways to assess if the existing limit is being exceeded.

Previous checks have shown that the average vehicle speed is lower than the current limit, but there is growing evidence that another assessment is needed. The current 30mph zone was previously extended further up Hobbs Cross Road because of concerns about speeding.

“Engagement with Churchgate Street residents will continue. The priority now is to make sure a credible road safety plan is put in place to reduce the risk of future collisions.”

5 Comments for Old Harlow councillor responds to concerns over Churchgate Street following number of road traffic collisions:

Tim

2024-10-08 21:41:41

So, Councillor Michael Garnett - You are a Tory on Tory Essex Council, with an interest in roads. Have you got any idea when they are going to repair Ealing Bridge on the way to Sheering, as the mess has been there since February with nothing going on. Tell me, why are Essex trashing the town, building bus lanes through the town, when they can’t look after the network that they are supposed to maintain? They did the roundabout at the A414 and First Avenue and so that floods now every time it rains. It’s the same at the Moathouse - That has flooded ever since they did that. The station has flooded since it was redesigned. Momples Road is an absolute disgrace. Oh and the closed road between Riverway and Harlow Mill. You are ruining the economy of the town, with people avoiding the place and going elsewhere to shop and journeys to work are taking hours - and for what? - Will these bus lanes be totally useless like the ones at Church Langley growing weeds - or will they be for minicabs and van drivers to jump the queues?

David

2024-10-09 06:44:07

We can forget the other corner of Churchgate street, it’s crashed into 2 property’s twice now. No one knows what size vehicle is coming to the street, around that bend. We have a “limit” of 7.5 tonne but still larger oversized trucks are ploughing through the village. It’s become a busier rat run since junction 7a! Why can’t we stop cars doing a right off a414 like doing a right into mulberry green calmed traffic! We need speed bumps and a camera would help. We must have yellow lines on the bends, resident parking only would stop people parking on the blind bends.

Stuart J

2024-10-09 15:02:06

The Police needs to be a bit more proactive monitoring the speeds in the area, using their mobile speed van. As this particular accident happened at 7.12pm, it needs to be used during that early evening period and not just in the mornings or afternoons when l normally see it being used.

Vanessa

2024-10-09 18:36:28

There should be no parking areas to ease the flow of traffic, which would stop the aggressive diving into gaps around parked cars. I’m not a fan of speed bumps but they would slow down the drivers using it as a rat run.

Fred Up

2024-10-09 19:35:58

The Gilden Way upgrade hasn’t helped the traffic, it now queues back from Mark Hall every morning, they need to change the markings on A414 / Mark Hall roundabout so that the near side lane goes Left towards Church Langley and straight on towards town and the offside lane goes Right towards Gates/ Edinburgh Way. County were fiddling with the sequence of the Churchgate roundabout lights the other week and they’ve caused more problems as traffic now queues over the yellow box blocking traffic going round it.