Consultation is currently taking place on 10 new traffic regulation orders in Harlow which aim to provide easier access through the town’s streets and improve road safety for all residents.
The proposed orders are to address a range of issues around the town such as keeping junctions free of parked vehicles, stopping cars blocking access to homes, improving traffic flow, providing clear access to heavy good vehicles and emergency services, and reducing the potential of road traffic accidents.
The orders and a summary of the proposals are:
- Bush Fair (amendment number 32) - introduce no waiting/loading restrictions to keep junctions free of parked vehicles. This will keep the road free of parked vehicles on bends where any parking is a hindrance to traffic flow and access. Removing parked vehicles at junctions will also improve safety and reduce potential road traffic accidents.
- Challinor (amendment number 34) and Old Road - junctions with Bury Road/New Road and Watlington Road (amendment number 29) - introduce no waiting restrictions to keep junctions free of parked vehicles. This will keep the road free of parked vehicles on bends where any parking is a hindrance to traffic flow and access. Removing parked vehicles at junctions will also improve safety and reduce potential road traffic accidents.
- Elmbridge/Hobb Cross Road (amendment number 40) – introduce waiting restrictions which extends the junction protection to keep the road free of parked vehicles.
- Kingsmoor Road, Pollards Hatch (amendment number 28) - introduce limiting waiting bays which will preserve or improve the amenities of the area through which the road runs through.
- Millersdale (amendment number 27)– introduce waiting restrictions. Free of charge parking bays are proposed to manage the parking of vehicles.
- Sunny Croft (amendment number 39) – introduce waiting restrictions to keep the area free of vehicles parking which prevent access to homes.
- Park Lane (amendment number 38) – introduce no waiting restrictions and payment parking. This is to keep the area free of vehicles parking, where it is considered that this parking is inappropriate. As the road runs adjacent to the town park removing parked vehicles will also, promote access and safety for residents and their visitors and reduce potential road traffic accidents.
- South Road (amendment number 37) – introduce no waiting restrictions to keep the area free of vehicles parking, where it is considered that this parking is inappropriate and likely to severely impede the access to a business’s service. Removing parked vehicles will also improve safety, visibility and reduce the potential of road traffic accidents and promote access to larger vehicles such as Heavy goods vehicles and those associated with the emergency services.
- Tysea Close (amendment number 31) – introduce no waiting restrictions to keep junctions free of parked vehicles where it is considered that any parking is inappropriate. Removing parked vehicles at junctions will also improve safety and reduce the potential of road traffic accidents.
All orders have been advertised in the areas and are on the North Essex Parking Partnership website https://north.parkingpartnership.org/traffic-regulation/. The partnership manages parking enforcement in the town.
Councillor Alastair Gunn, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Governance, said:
“Getting parking restrictions right can lead to easier access through our streets and improved road safety, and that’s the aim with the proposed schemes out for consultation now.
“From trying to make life easier for businesses in Bush Fair and Templefields to preventing people being blocked in at home, to making tight junctions safer and easier to navigate, there’s a range of initiatives we want to hear people’s feedback on.
“With just a couple of days left for residents to have their say on these proposals, I hope Harlow residents will comment on any proposals that affect their street." We will continue to bring forward proposed schemes to help road safety across the town and we will improve the way that such matters are communicated to residents.
“I also know that the lack of residential parking is a major issue. That’s why I’ve set up a cross-party group to focus on how to improve parking across the town. A parking strategy is being developed, guided by the long-term aim of providing more parking spaces.”
The consultations run until 1 July 2022.