A414/First Avenue roundabout junction improvement scheme

Essex County Council has developed a series of improvements in Harlow including the A414/First Avenue junction scheme. 

These improvement measures are designed to manage congestion across the town, making it a more attractive place to invest, retain existing business and to allow the town to grow and regenerate. 

Works were completed in summer 2017 and have been designed to widen three of the four roads that meet at the roundabout to create two lanes in each direction.

About the scheme

First Avenue (B183) has been widened to two lanes in each direction between the A414 and London Road and a dedicated left turn will be created onto the A414.

First Avenue, carrying traffic from the roundabout into Harlow to the west of the First Avenue roundabout, will remain unchanged as this road is the corridor into Harlow carrying mixed local traffic including cyclists and pedestrians. A second dedicated left turn is being created from A414 southbound to B183 eastbound.

As the width of First Avenue has increased to four lanes, safety barriers deter pedestrians from crossing and vehicles from stopping in unsafe locations. Primary drop off points for the school will instead be in London Road.

The First Avenue subway (used to access Marks Hall Academy) has been extended to accommodate carriageway width changes of the A414 which passes over the subway.  

Access to new homes north of this section and to the school and sports club will be maintained from the north. The pedestrian crossing on London Road near the school will remain.