County’s first sustainable transport corridor a ‘transformational’ opportunity for Harlow

How we move around Harlow is set to change, with work due to get underway on the county’s first ‘Sustainable Transport Corridor’ in the New Year.

Running from a redesigned junction at Burnt Mill along the A1019 to the town centre, the corridor will provide upgraded rapid bus services as well as walking and cycling links, new public realm, trees, signage and lighting.

Delivered as an element of the overall sustainable infrastructure improvements associated with the £172million ‘Housing Investment Grant’ provided by Homes England to support the delivery of the new Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, Essex County Council has approved the appointment of Bouygues UK Ltd to undertake the works.

Welcoming the appointment Cllr Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council said: “The delivery of a high-quality sustainable corridor offers a transformational opportunity.

“Providing frequent hop-on hop-off rapid-bus services into and away from the town centre, linking shopping, leisure and train services with new and existing communities will reduce the need for car use for very short journeys and help further drive forward the local economy.

“We also recognise that to encourage walking and cycling, we need to remove the barriers and through this project we will provide new segregated walking and cycling surfaces, lighting, signage, seating and cycle storage, linking the future Gilston development and existing communities such as at the Hides, with the wider cycle network.”

HGGT Director, Naisha Polaine, added: “The start of the Sustainable Transport Corridor construction will be a real landmark moment for Harlow & Gilston Garden Town.

Additional bus, cycling and walking routes are integral to what we want to achieve with new jobs and new homes for the local area.

“With four Garden Town communities sitting alongside a regenerated town centre, greater connectivity across the local area is going to be key in helping people move around in a quick, safe and healthy way that’s good for the environment while easing traffic congestion. 

Utility works on the corridor started earlier this year and are expected to be completed in the coming weeks ahead of the Main works starting in early 2024.

North of Burnt Mill Roundabout the new corridor will be continued as part of the infrastructure improvements associated with the Gilston development.