525 people have signed a petition against the 18-month Old Road closure in Old Harlow, which starts on 19 October. What it asks for, and how to object formally.

A petition against the trial closure of Old Road in Old Harlow had 525 signatures by Wednesday morning. It was started on Friday 2 October, so that is five days. The closure starts on Monday 19 October.

The figure is from the petition page on Change.org, read on the morning of 7 October. Its own updates give the earlier counts:

  • 141 signatures in the first 24 hours (update posted 3 October)
  • 307 after 48 hours (update posted 4 October)
  • 525 on the morning of 7 October, 93 of them in the previous day

What the closure is

Essex County Council is shutting Old Road to through-traffic by the railway bridge, between Hart Road and The Hoo. The trial can run for up to 18 months. Homes on Old Road keep car access from one end, and people on foot or bikes can still pass through.

The council says drivers use the road as a shortcut. Its surveys counted an average of 275 vehicles a day cutting through from Cambridge Road to Mulberry Green, and 35 a day the other way. (Essex Highways, Old Road scheme page)

Our 29 September report has the full details, the dates and how the scheme is funded.

What the petition says

The petition is titled “Stop the closure of Old Road in Harlow - TRAF/8961”. Its organiser writes that they live nearby but “received no direct notification, letter, or any form of communication”. They heard about it from a local shopkeeper.

Its main arguments are:

  • the closure will push traffic onto surrounding roads and lengthen journeys
  • it could limit access for emergency services
  • there was not enough consultation before the decision

It asks “Harlow Council and all relevant authorities to halt the current proposal until a comprehensive review and public consultation have been undertaken.”

The petition is addressed to Essex County Council Highways, Harlow Council and three named councillors: Mark Webster, Michael Garnett and Sue Livings. Councillor Webster is the county council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure.

Who was told

The notification point is the heart of the complaint. Essex County Council’s scheme page says “letters have been sent to residents and businesses to advise them of the closure”. It does not say which streets received them. (Essex Highways, Old Road scheme page)

Harlow Council is not the highway authority for Old Road. The decision, and any objection, sits with Essex County Council.

The county council has said it expects the closure to divide opinion. Councillor Webster said in the press release: “We recognise there may be divided opinions about the closure and we are keen to hear views from both sides.”

The petition is not a formal objection

A petition puts pressure on councillors. It is not the same as an objection under the traffic order, and the organiser says so. In an update on 4 October they urged every signer to email Essex Highways as well. “307 signatures = 307 emails,” the update said.

Formal comments can only be made once the trial is running. The window opens on 19 October 2026 and closes on 18 April 2027.

What it means for you

To object or support the closure formally, wait until 19 October, then:

  • email TrafficRegulation.Order@essexhighways.org
  • or write to Essex County Council, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford
  • quote the reference TRAF8961 and give your reasons

Comments sent before 19 October may not count as part of the formal process.

If you use Old Road, plan another route from 19 October. There will be no signed diversion, because the council wants to see which routes drivers choose. Our roadworks and travel page carries the closure alongside the other works in town.

The council expects a decision on whether to make it permanent in summer 2027.

Sources