Harlow Council is to investigate the potential for the extension of the Central Line to Harlow as part of plans to improve and modernise the town’s transport connections and infrastructure.
Councillor Dan Swords, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said:
"We have an extremely ambitious vision to make Harlow the best town in Britain to raise your family, to send your kids to school, to start a business, to live and to be. 74 years into Harlow's history, we are facing a crucial juncture with ageing infrastructure and a need for more investment. That is why we will be bringing forward the biggest programme of regeneration and renewal since Harlow was built.
“With the exciting plans for a new town centre, the move of Public Health England, the Innovation Park, new hospital and the growth of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town we are looking at all possibilities for improving and modernising transport connections in and out of the town and also within Harlow.”
Councillor Michael Hardware, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Growth, said:
“With Harlow's close proximity to London our plans include investigating the potential for the extension of the central line to Harlow, lobbying to extend London Transport Zones to Harlow, examining connectivity to Crossrail 2 and promoting four tracking of the mainline to Stansted Airport as well as improving existing public transport links in and out of the town.
"Our Town Plan, which will detail our ambitions, is being developed at present. A draft of the plan will be brought forwards within weeks and we will be involving the whole town in our vision with full consultation on the plan be held in the autumn. The draft plan will include our ambitions for levelling up transport infrastructure and much more besides."
The draft Town Plan was discussed at the Cabinet Policy Development Working Group meeting on Thursday 5 August 2021 and will go to the next Cabinet meeting in September 2021.