30 June 2022
Press Release
Improvements planned to meet future demand at the junction and reduce congestion to and from key destinations.
The next phase of a project to improve safety and reduce congestion on the M11 at Junction 8 near Bishops Stortford is set to start construction this month.
Following completion of preliminary investigatory work, the existing A120 roundabout will now be removed ahead of the construction of a new traffic-light controlled junction.
To support the improvement works, contractor John Sisk & Son will implement traffic management for work on the roundabout and a revised road layout, including a lane closure running on the westbound approach to the A120 Roundabout.
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TravelEssex will encourage more bus use in county, helping to bring down emissions and improve the environment.
A new bus identity, TravelEssex, is being launched today to help the transport network build back from Covid 19 and encourage people to swap from car to bus.
TravelEssex has been introduced to provide the network with a consistent, strong identity to build residents confidence in using bus services.
Essex County Council has worked with bus operators and other partners and following feedback from residents the TravelEssex name was chosen.
Residents will start to see the TravelEssex name and logo at bus stops and on buses from this month (June 2022).
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5km fun run route provides unique opportunity to view £76m infrastructure project and support charities.
A fun run to mark the opening of the new M11 Junction 7A at Harlow has raised £9,000 for local charities.
Supported by Harlow Running and Tri Club, around 500 walkers, joggers and runners took part, with the 5km route providing a unique opportunity to see the new infrastructure up close before it was opened to traffic the following day.
Cllr Eddie Johnson, Chairman of Essex County Council, said: “The new M11 Junction 7A is a critical improvement for the area and the biggest road infrastructure project in the county for a number of years. Despite the challenges of the past two years, I am very pleased we were able to reach a position to open it to traffic ahead of schedule.
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Lane closures and temporary traffic lights will be in place on the A120 in the coming weeks after main works started on the M11 Junction 8 scheme.
Having previously been undertaking investigation works and underground utility diversions, work is now well underway to remove the existing A120 roundabout ahead of the construction of the new junction.
Additional traffic management measures, including lane closures on the A120 east of the roundabout and temporary traffic lights on the A120 west of the roundabout, will be put in place in the coming weeks to enable the works to continue.
The measures are needed to ensure the safety of both the public and the workforce constructing the new road. As ever, we will aim to minimise disruption wherever possible and apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused by our works.
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Brickwork defects identified by Essex County Council will be rectified by the contractor from 29 June 2022 to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians. This work will be carried out by a contractor at no cost to Waitrose, Essex County Council or the taxpayer.
Traffic Management will be required on approach roads to the A133 Ipswich Road roundabout, however Essex Highways will take every action to minimise disruption.
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Brickwork defects identified by Essex County Council quality control in wall below Waitrose in Colchester to be rectified by contractor.
To ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians, Essex County Council has decided work is needed on the wall overlooking the A133 Ipswich Road roundabout in Colchester.
This work will be carried out by a contractor at no cost to Waitrose, Essex County Council or the taxpayer.
As part of quality control processes our inspection engineers have identified defects in the retaining wall brickwork below Waitrose which sits alongside the A133 roundabout.
These defects could be a safety issue and if not addressed could see brickwork failing causing a safety risk to the footway and highway below.
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17 June 2022
Progress Update
We are currently in the feasibility phase of the scheme, during this phase we will undertake various activities to verify the feasibility of the recommended option 4 (Full replacement of entire structure including the substructure, built in line within the footprint of the existing structure) as agreed within the Option Study report. Read full story
Residents across Essex are encouraged to consider simple actions they could take to help improve air quality and their health this Clean Air Day.
Clean Air Day is the UK's largest air pollution campaign and aims to highlight the issue of air pollution and improve public understanding of the problem.
Air pollution contributes to up to 36,000 deaths in the UK every year and the theme for this year’s campaign is health, with people being encouraged to think about steps they could take to make the air cleaner and improve their health.
Suggested actions include choosing active travel options such as walking or cycling shorter distance journeys rather than using the car – a message Essex County Council has been actively promoting through its own Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign. Active travel helps people get fit, which improves mental health and takes pressure off the NHS.
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13 June 2022
Highways Highlights
The May 2022 edition of Highways Highlights has now been published.
The newsletter for all things highway in Essex.
In the May 2022 edition:
- Salted!
- Utilities Avoidance Training should help provide less ‘bang’ for Bucks
- RideLondon comes to Essex
and more...
Read the Highways Highlights May 2022 edition.
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10 June 2022
Press Release
A new junction on the M11 will open to the public ahead of schedule today, following the completion of one of the biggest highways infrastructure projects in Essex.
The £76 million M11 Junction 7A scheme has created a much-needed new access into Harlow and included widening and improvement of Gilden Way, plus a new link road connecting Gilden Way and the junction via new roundabouts on either side of the motorway.
As part of the project, Essex County Council with its contractor GRAHAM has built a new bridge over the motorway, constructed slip roads for both northbound and southbound traffic, and improved walking and cycling access on Gilden Way.
Funded by the council and National Highways, the new junction completes a project started in summer 2020.
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