Travel in and around Harlow will soon be made easier, with the new Junction 7A due to open next month.
One of the largest road infrastructure projects in Essex for a number of years and located within the proposed East of Harlow neighbourhood of Harlow & Gilston Garden Town, the scheme has seen the creation of a new motorway junction, the widening of the B183 Gilden Way/Sheering Road and the installation of a new Link Road to connect the two.
Funded by Essex County Council and National Highways, works are now underway on the final elements of the works, including footpaths, kerbs, CCTV, road markings and landscaping works.
Harlow & Gilston Garden Town Director, Naisha Polaine, said: “Not only will it ease congestion in the town but it will be an essential route for emergency services accessing the proposed new Princess Alexandria Hospital and a key road for transport delivering to local businesses from across the UK, helping to reboot the town’s economy post-pandemic.”
Cllr Lesley Wagland, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, added: “I am very pleased that despite the challenges faced over the last two years, the scheme remains on schedule, with the junction to open traffic as soon as it is safe to do so.
“The new junction is critical for Harlow and the wider area. Ultimately it will help create a new east-west route through the town, helping reduce congestion, offering new public transport opportunities and further unlocking the economic potential of the area by providing more journey time reliability for businesses and improving access onto the motorway.
“This is one of a number of strategic infrastructure projects that Essex County Council is currently working on as we strive to futureproof our infrastructure and help accommodate the pressures that come with a growing population.”
