Old Road in Old Harlow will close between Hart Road and The Hoo junctions from 19 October. Essex County Council is using an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to trial the closure for up to 18 months.
A survey by the council found more than 300 vehicles use this section daily. The closure aims to tackle persistent complaints about through-traffic on what is primarily a residential street.
Hundreds of cars daily on a residential street
The problem is common across local road networks. Streets originally intended for residents become shortcuts as drivers seek to avoid busier main roads. Over time, this rat-running becomes part of the street's daily pattern, causing frustration for residents.
Old Road has experienced this issue for years, with residents reporting traffic levels that affect safety, especially during school pick-up and drop-off times. Essex County Council previously tried traffic-calming measures before opting for this closure trial.
Experimental Traffic Regulation Order allows real-world test
The Experimental Traffic Regulation Order enables the council to monitor the closure's effects before deciding on permanent changes. Residents can give feedback during the first six months. The council will observe how traffic patterns adjust, noting any displacement onto nearby roads.
Divided views from local residents
Some residents welcome the trial. A local told the BBC the road was busier than before and described the closure as positive. However, others are concerned. One long-term resident called the trial a “disaster” and questioned if traffic levels justified the closure. He also mentioned potential impacts on journeys to Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth.
This reflects the broader challenge in traffic management schemes. Roads can serve as vital links for some drivers while being undesired through-routes for residents. Balancing these interests is often difficult.
Traffic displaced, not eliminated
Removing a rat-run does not eliminate trips. Some traffic may avoid the area, but other vehicles may reroute elsewhere. Similar effects have appeared elsewhere, such as sat-navs redirecting A30 traffic through roads unsuitable for heavy volumes, including near a Cornish primary school.
Essex County Council's priority is to determine whether the closure reduces traffic on Old Road without creating greater problems on neighbouring streets.
Next steps and implications for drivers
From 19 October, drivers will need to use alternative routes as the section of Old Road between Hart Road and The Hoo closes. The closure may last until spring 2028, pending results and feedback collected during the trial.
Mark Webster, the council’s cabinet member for highways, confirmed the measure responds to years of resident complaints. He stressed the council would consider all viewpoints before deciding on permanent measures.
The trial will provide evidence of how the local road network reacts when a shortcut disappears, allowing the council to base future decisions on observed traffic patterns rather than assumptions.
