WORKS on the next phase of transport infrastructure for the Harlow & Gilston Garden Town partnership (HGGT) are set to start this week.

Funded by Homes England, the Central Stort Crossing North scheme will support the development of new communities and eventually connect to the recently completed improvements between Harlow Town Centre and Burnt Mill roundabout, as part of the wider HGGT sustainable transport network.

Central Stort Crossing North is being delivered by a joint venture between Places for People (PfP) and Barratt Redrow (the PfP Barratt Redrow JV), with their contractor Natta, and being financially administered by Hertfordshire County Council on behalf of the Harlow & Gilston Garden Town partnership using funding provided by Homes England.

The works will commence with the installation of construction accesses off the A414 (Eastwick Road) to form safe access to working areas offline of the existing highway. This will be followed by improvements along the A414/Eastwick Road and along Fifth Avenue – Zelenskyy Avenue. In later phases, Eastwick Roundabout will be converted to a traffic signal-controlled junction for better traffic flow.

Delivering road improvements, new public transport links, and walking and cycling routes for Harlow and the surrounding area, these latest works will support the development of 10,000 homes built across the Essex-Hertfordshire border by the PfP Barrat Redrow JV and Taylor Wimpey as part of the Gilston area of the Garden Town.

Harlow & Gilston Garden Town is a cross-boundary initiative led by five councils – East Hertfordshire, Epping Forest and Harlow District Councils alongside Hertfordshire and Essex County Councils – to deliver growth and regeneration for the area.

The masterplan for Harlow & Gilston Garden Town is bringing forward long-term improvements for the area, supporting future growth and community wellbeing through the delivery of much-needed new housing, including affordable homes, alongside schools, community facilities, and essential services.

Applications for the works were given planning permission by both East Herts and Harlow District Councils in February 2022.

Mark Doran, Executive Director of Growth & Environment at Hertfordshire County Council, commented: “These works mark the start of 10,000 new homes in the Gilston area and, with growth coming forward at this scale, it’s vital that we invest in infrastructure that gives people real alternatives to driving and helps avoid further congestion on local roads.

“Our five council Garden Town partnership is committed to 60% of journeys in the new communities being made by walking, cycling or public transport.

“Improvements at Eastwick roundabout will support this by improving traffic flow and prioritising pedestrians, cyclists and bus users travelling to and from the new villages. This will minimise road congestion, air pollution and carbon emissions, benefitting all road users and local residents.

“While works of this scale will cause some disruption, the Garden Town and its partners will work closely with Places for People and Barratt Redrow to minimise inconvenience and keep residents and businesses informed so they can plan their journeys.”

Sammie Steele, Managing Director, PfP, speaking on behalf of the Places for People and Barratt Redrow joint venture, said: “This development has taken almost 20 years to reach this stage, achieved through close collaboration between PfP, the Harlow & Gilston Garden Town partnership of local authorities, and the hundreds of partners who have supported it along the way.

“Delivering a project of this size is never easy and inevitably comes with some disruption.

“The PfP Barratt Redrow JV is committed to ensuring that the Central Stort Crossing North scheme is delivered responsibly with the needs of local residents and businesses fully considered during the delivery and decision-making process.

“Together with our contractor, Natta, we are focused on minimising the impact wherever possible and we appreciate the patience of local residents as we build towards a stronger, better-connected community.” 

Director of Infrastructure Funding at Homes England, Pauline Schaffer, added: “Through the Housing Infrastructure Fund, we’re pleased to be working with Harlow & Gilston Garden Town partners to support the vital infrastructure needed to unlock the first 10,000 homes.

“The appointment of Natta by the PfP and Barratt Redrow JV is a major step forward and a significant milestone to be reached, delivering the transport improvements needed to support the development of the new communities at Harlow and Gilston Garden Town.”

These major highways upgrades are expected to be completed in Winter 2028.

Residents can keep up to date with the progress of works via Causeway one.network and report any issues directly to the contractor via  Gilston.info.  The PfP & Barratt Redrow JV will communicate major milestones in advance on gilstonparkestate.com. Timelines for the project may adjust based on weather, engineering requirements or safety considerations.