Harlow Labour demands protection from traffic congestion in the north part of Harlow

News / Wed 20th Jan 2021 at 08:46am

THE continued congestion in Harlow North will only increase, say Harlow Labour. Although Harlow Council confirmed the need for a second M11 junction, it was agreed upon with the assurance that it would be built with the use of a northern ring road, with weight limits imposed. This was with the view that traffic through the already heavily congested northern Harlow would be eased.

A storm from residents has caused the Tories to back-track and blame everyone but themselves. However, this blame-game does nothing but show the Tories for what they really are, incompetent say Labour.

Harlow Labour Councillor and Highways Champion, Danny Purton said:

“Sadly, it seems that the Tory-run ECC with no effective opposition from Mike Garnett, the local Tory County Councillor, have ignored the assurances made to Harlow Council. At the time, many residents were rightly furious over these plans as it not only affects the traffic in the area, but also the environmental impacts; both to the air quality and the ecological damage caused.

“After years of delays caused by the construction works along Edinburgh Way, it seems the same is about to happen to Gilden Way. The unaccountable Essex County Council after ignoring the outcome of numerous meeting with Residents are proceeding to construct a dangerous 3-lane highway straight into the North Harlow residential areas.

I have already demanded that a weight limit be imposed along First Avenue otherwise Heavy Vehicles will ignore the official Lorry Route and carry on to Town Centre and Pinnacles past Schools, Shopping and over numerous pedestrian crossing places.”

Laura McAlpine, who is hoping to replace Mike Garnett in the May Elections, said:

“If Labour were in office and had the power to implement the right solution to the problem, Harlow would have had a northern ring road by now instead of spending the £Millions on building “the Dual Carriageway to Nowhere” along Edinburgh Way – they really are hopeless!

“This would have worked to ease congestion in the town making full purpose of the need for the second M11 Junction. Unfortunately, the short-sightedness of the Tories has caused years of chaos by implementing infrastructure that not only is going to increase congestion in the town but have lasting ecological impacts whilst increasing the levels of pollution in Harlow North, and further destroying air quality of the area.

“I will be keeping up the pressure on this issue during the Election Campaign and look to win the support of the Public in all the three Wards of Harlow North that are most affected.”

3 Comments for Harlow Labour demands protection from traffic congestion in the north part of Harlow:

novoman

2021-01-20 09:05:29

Congestion, what a surprise....not. A five year old could have predicted this. Wait until Harlow North and the Epping development on the south side of town are both built and we will have total gridlock. It is likely to happen well before that time as we get more commuter traffic to the Public Health England Laboratories site and the Science park and as New Hall and other populations in the new housing sites grow. We need a motorway standard ring road north AND South before the town chokes to death.

Jarrett

2021-01-20 13:17:50

Glad that you have demanded a weight limit on First Ave perhaps you could take a look at the amount of hgv traffic now using Southern Way.

Nick Langman

2021-01-21 08:55:14

I must admit I am surprised by the letter from Cllr Danny Purton. When the public meetings to discuss M11 J7a were taking place I was part of a group opposing the changes to Gilden Way and we pushed for a northern bypass. The group was made up from a number of local people and we hoped to gain support from local Councillors from all parties. We did get support from Mike Garnett, Sue Livings and Joel Charles, but I do not remember any support from any other local Councillors. Rodney Bass (Essex CC) who chaired the two large local meetings, admitted at the time that a northern bypass would have been a better solution, but that the money was not available to provide it. Whilst expensive, the Gilden Way route came in at a much lower cost than a bypass, and would relieve traffic congestion around M11 J7. It was considered a better option than no additional M11 junction. Regarding the development time comparison between Edinburgh Way and Gilden Way, I am pleased to say that progress along Gilden Way is making good progress. Mike Garnett and Joel Charles have been in regular contact with the contractors (Grahams), and the contractors have been responsive to locals concerns. For those interested, the following link provides a lot of information about the Gilden Way development. https://www.essexhighways.org/highway-schemes-and-developments/highway-schemes/m11-junction-7a.aspx It is a great pity that we did not get the support from across the political spectrum when Old Harlow needed it. Now is too little too late.