Work to build new junction begins on M11

A PROJECT to build a major new junction on the M11 moves into its next stage this week.

One of the biggest infrastructure projects in Essex, the work to create Junction 7A at Harlow is seen as critical to economic growth and prosperity in the town.

The project, which will ease congestion and make journeys safer, means overnight lane closures on the motorway over the coming day, as well as a long-term closure of the hard shoulder.

This is allowing contractor GRAHAM to set up its site for the junction and begin to deliver the new gateway for Harlow.

Welcoming the start of the next stage of the work, Councillor Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: “Over the summer we have seen the main work on the new M11 Junction 7A start in earnest along Gilden Way.

“I am very pleased that, working closely with GRAHAM, we have been able to introduce additional safety measures to enable the team to stay on schedule during the current situation with Covid-19.

“Work has progressed quickly and, as the team now starts work on the motorway itself, we will really start to see the scale of the biggest infrastructure investments for Essex in many years.”

Since the start of the scheme, funded by Highways England and Essex County Council, GRAHAM has begun to widen Gilden Way, which will ultimately join the motorway via a new Link Road, creating a new east-west route through the town.

Cllr Bentley said that as well as easing congestion and making journeys safer, the project would provide additional public transport opportunities together with increased walking and cycling.

He added: “Overall we have a scheme that is widely recognised as being of critical importance to both the local and regional economy. It will help keep traffic moving across the town and allow sustainable transport to flourish.”

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Comments

Jenny

I’m glad to see this get under way.

Ken Rogers

We have had to put up with months of delays at Harlow Mill roundabout and Gilden Way…..and now this

Sue Hall

A great idea, until it reaches Edinburgh way where widening the road stops halfway, it should have continued to Harlow Station and out onto the exiting duel carriage wa

Stuart

Graham seem to be doing a great job so far. Whilst congested on Gilden Way the work seem effective and tidy. Lots of workers seen ‘doing stuff which was not the case on the Harlow Mill roundabout!!
We need this junction desperately.
Thank you Essex council and Robert Halfon

David

I think it will be grid lock in Harlow

Martin

When will all the houses be going up…

been nothing but a total

Tenpin

I am sure that every resident in Harlow will applaud Cllr Bentley and indeed Robert Halfon if this does achieve what is being said but if not perhaps we could expect both to resign? I seem to remember that ECC’s own figures showed that traffic will increase in the area by 78%, indeed with 3000 staff working at the new hospital and hundreds of visitors arriving each day one can easily see why. In response to Sue Hall, the reason road widening has not gone further towards Harlow Station is that a new road is to be built from the roundabout on the A414 at Gilston, crossing the river and entering Riverway close to the road that leads off to the council depot, then on to the roundabout by the Peugeot garage.