The Leader of Harlow Council, Russell Perrin, has commented on the advanced works that will pave the way for a new public travel route for Harlow & Gilston Garden Town.
The route, known as a sustainable transport corridor, will be between Burnt Mill Roundabout and Harlow Town Centre and will prioritise walking and cycling plus a rapid bus lane.
It begins this month with the removal of a number of trees, vegetation and scrub along the planned footprint of the scheme in order to provide the required space ahead of construction and for the diversion of utilities.
As part of the works, which will take around two months to complete, a number of unsuitable, diseased and dying trees will also be removed.
Councillor Perrin, who wrote a blog for HGGT in December, said: “Improving road and transport connections across Harlow is absolutely vital, particularly as part of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town.
“These works will allow for a key sustainable transport scheme connecting Gilston, the train station, the town centre and other key areas in the town.
“They will increase sustainable transport options such as new walking, cycling and bus routes and benefit existing residents, helping to make the town a safer, greener, healthier and more sustainable place to live and work.
“We are working closely with Essex County Council to ensure these works are carried out as smoothly as possible.
“Whilst some trees are being removed to enable the works, these will all be replaced with semi-mature trees with long-term maintenance plans to ensure they flourish.
“More trees will be planted than removed and a number of trees being removed are diseased, dying or affected by ash dieback.
“The nearby Town Park will not be impacted and no trees from the Town Park or the row of trees along the boundary of the park will be removed.
“These works will actually enhance the natural environment and there will be other landscaping improvements along the corridor.
“This is another major step in improving road and transport connections across the town, following the opening of the new M11 junction 7a earlier this year.”
Councillor Lesley Wagland OBE, Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning at Essex County Council added: “Over the coming years Harlow will see significant growth and it’s critical we support this with the required transport infrastructure which meets targets set for sustainable travel.
“To do this we have to make it easier and simpler to leave the car at home. The new sustainable transport corridors will do this, providing safer, segregated walking and cycling infrastructure and high-quality bus rapid transit, providing consistent shuttle services every few minutes.
“But we also want to create a nice environment, and ensue that open space is maximised, which is why we are not only looking to replace any trees which need to be removed, but actually increase the number, ultimately creating a green avenue along the corridor.”
