Economic boost for Harlow businesses

Road improvement scheme planned for key business area of town.

A road improvement scheme to support a key business area in Harlow is set to start next month (September).

The project will promote economic growth for the Templefields area, a centre for manufacturing in the town.

At present traffic has to enter and leave the site at its western end via Edinburgh Road and River Way.

In future, a new entrance and exit on the A1184 Cambridge Road will give businesses access to and from the eastern end of the industrial estate.

Essex County Council has appointed contractor Octavius Infrastructure to deliver the scheme. It is scheduled to be completed in Spring next year.

The work will create a connection between Cambridge Road and River Way. Traffic will be able to turn left into the enterprise zone and right to exit. This will also provide better and quicker access to the recently completed M11 J7a.

The scheme will also improve a nearby junction at Old Road and Cambridge Road.

Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy, said: “Templefields is an important part of Harlow, not only providing significant manufacturing space at present but also longer-term development opportunities.

“Therefore, it is vital that businesses and their customers have good access to the area and our scheme will greatly improve this aspect of the industrial estate, supporting our ambition of economic growth in the town.”

The council has already completed advanced works for the scheme. This has seen an area alongside the planned new access road clearer. A gas main has also been diverted to make way for the new road.