A SENIOR Harlow politician has demanded answers from Essex County Council over the long-running closure of the new River Way junction, saying the highways authority hasn’t been honest about the problem.

Harlow Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for Planning and the Garden Town, Cllr Alastair Gunn, attended the official opening of the road last year, on behalf of Harlow residents.

At the opening, Cllr Gunn commented that Harlow Council has put forward £1.5 million from its Towns Fund award, investment secured from the previous Conservative government, to help meet the cost of the new road. He also pointed to businesses moving to the Templefields employment area that the new junction would serve.

Days after being officially opened however, the junction was suddenly closed. Over six months on, it remains closed. 

At the time, Essex County Council described the closure as “temporary” and due to a “technical legal issue”. 

Cllr Gunn said, “Harlow residents want to know what’s happening with River Way. Half a year since its abrupt closure, it is still not clear what the real problem is or how long this embarrassing situation is going to continue for.

“Information was given to us back in August that the issue should be resolved within weeks. That’s the same information Essex Highways are giving Harlow Council now, and frankly what we’re being told is no longer credible.

“Clearly, something has gone badly wrong. If it does involve a legal issue, it’s understandable that Essex Highways may be limited in what they can responsibly say. However, Harlow Council helped pay for this road upgrade. It is Harlow taxpayers and businesses that pay their rates to us that are being affected by the ongoing closure.

“We – and the residents we serve – have a right to demand a bit of honesty. It’s high time Essex County Council were clear about what’s really happened, and to be realistic about how long it will take to get this road re-opened properly.”