Harlow Council is on course to deliver its pledge to create 1,000 new parking spaces in housing estates this year, as part of its Building Harlow’s Future plan – doubling last year’s figure of 500.
Tackling estate parking challenges is a key part of the Council’s mission to ‘renew our neighbourhoods’, with new spaces already created this year in estates such as Risdens, Halling Hill, Rivermill, Milwards, Whitewaits, Joyners Field, and Peterswood.
Work is continuing, with additional spaces currently under construction in Longbanks, The Fortunes, Primrose Field, Rushes Mead, and Hookfield. Work will shortly begin on more spaces across Hollyfield, Spring Hills, Broadfield, Woodcroft, Cooks Spinney, Pittmans Field, The Downs, Parsonage Leys, Five Acres, Joyners Field, Orchard Croft, and Longbanks.
To ensure accessibility for all residents, new accessible parking bays are being introduced in Church Leys, Abbotsweld, Willowfield, Park Mead, Stackfield, Long Ley, Shawbridge, Spinney Wheel Mead, Barn Mead, and Wharley Hook.
In some cases, underused or neglected landscaped areas are being converted into additional parking, formalising poor quality areas which have been used for parking for many years. In other areas, unused and derelict garages are making way for new spaces with additional lighting and fencing to improve the whole estate. These include in Wharley Hook, Latton Hall Close, Long Ley, The Downs, Shawbridge, and Little Pynchons where planning applications have been submitted. Approval has already been granted for 12 spaces in Dellfield Croft and Orchard Croft.
The council is continuing to explore further opportunities for parking improvements in other areas such as Pennymead, The Readings, The Dashes, and The Oxleys.
Commenting on the progress, Councillor David Carter, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
“The lack of parking spaces and inconsiderate parking is one of the most common concerns raised by residents. That’s why last year we delivered over 500 new spaces, the most significant intervention the council has made in many years.
“This year we are going even further, creating over 1,000 new spaces across the town, and we are well on track to meet that target. While this won’t solve every issue, it is a major improvement programme and another example of how we are renewing our neighbourhoods and Building Harlow’s Future.”