HARLOW Council has announced a town-wide programme to transform its underpasses, reinforcing its commitment to Building Harlow’s Future and renewing pride in neighbourhoods across the town.

The ambitious programme will upgrade underpasses, which were crucial to Sir Frederick Gibberd’s master planning of the town, to create brighter, safer and more welcoming routes for residents.

The programme of works will include:

• Full repainting
• New roadside railings
• Modern LED lighting throughout
• Tackling drainage issues
• Removal of overgrown shrubs and trees along underpass verges to improve visibility, natural light and safety

Several locations will also be enhanced with new street art murals, painted by local artists, as the council partners with Harlow-based company MurWalls, to celebrate local creativity and give these spaces a renewed sense of identity.

The upgrades build on the successful roll-out of CCTV across Harlow’s underpasses by the council two years ago, providing added reassurance while continuing to improve everyday public spaces.

While responsibility for this type of maintenance traditionally rests with Essex County Council, Harlow Council has chosen to step in. As part of the council’s Building Harlow’s Future plan, this year it committed to “embed a programme of proactive action to address the maintenance gaps left by Essex County Council”. This programme is a tangible example of that commitment in action.

Announcing the programme, Councillor Nicky Purse, Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“This programme is another important step in Building Harlow’s Future and delivering on our mission to renew our neighbourhoods. While responsibility for this type of maintenance has traditionally rested with Essex County Council, we have chosen to step in because action is needed.

“This work is about making real, practical improvements people will notice – from replacing railings, to improving drainage and clearing overgrown vegetation that can make underpasses feel dark and unwelcoming. Our underpasses are used by thousands of residents every week, and they should be clean, safe and properly maintained.

“By tackling these environmental issues head-on, we’re improving safety, enhancing the everyday experience for residents. This is a practical and visible way of showing that Building Harlow’s Future isn’t just a slogan – it’s about transforming the everyday spaces we all use into places we can take pride in.”

The first round of upgrades is scheduled to be completed by the end of March, with further improvements planned as part of the council’s long-term vision to create cleaner, safer and more connected neighbourhoods for everyone.