New M11 junction

A new junction on the M11 has opened to the public ahead of schedule, following the completion of one of the biggest highways infrastructure projects in Essex. The £76 million M11 Junction 7A scheme has created a muchneeded new access into Harlow and included widening and improvement of Gilden Way, plus a new link road connecting Gilden Way and the junction via new roundabouts on either side of the motorway. As part of the project, Essex County Council with its contractor GRAHAM has built a new bridge over the motorway, constructed slip roads for both northbound and southbound traffic, and improved walking and cycling access on Gilden Way. Funded by the council and National Highways, the new junction completes a project started in summer 2020. Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, said: “Back in 2007, before I was first elected as the Member of Parliament, I started a campaign called ‘Fed Up with Harlow Traffic’. The purpose of this campaign was to get an extra road junction built for our town to help ease the traffic gridlock whenever there is an accident or roadworks of any kind.”

"Not only will this junction help to ease the flow of traffic, it will boost Harlow’s economy by unlocking thousands more jobs and homes, and by bringing even more business investment into our town.” The public, whom the council thanked for their patience during construction of the scheme, were also given a unique opportunity to see the final scheme up close before it opened to traffic during a 5km charity fun run, which was supported by Harlow Running and Tri Club and Active Essex. The fun-run, which raised money for a local charity supporting children living with cerebral palsy and St Clare Hospice, saw more than 500 participants run from the London Road Roundabout to the new junction and back. With match-funding from GRAHAM, their efforts raised over £9,000. Dave Brown, Highways Director for GRAHAM Civil Engineering, added: “We’re pleased to have completed construction and delivered this important project in the region. The team has worked tirelessly during the programme, which included a challenging bridge beam installation over two weeks, involving four overnight closures to minimise disruption to road users. The new junction is a testament to our team’s civil engineering expertise and another addition to our growing highways portfolio.”