During 2014 the Highways Agency the Highways Agency opened two sections of  smart  motorways  on  the  M25,  junctions  5  to  7 on  the  Kent/Surrey  border and junctions 23 to 25 on the Hertfordshire/Essex border. In November 2014, a  new  improved  section of  the  M25  will  open,  improving  journeys for road users and benefiting the economy. 

The new section of smart motorway will open between junctions 25 and 27 on the Hertfordshire/Essex border. On the new M25 sections the hard shoulder will be used as a permanent traffic lane. This is referred to as ‘all lane running’ 

How to use All Lane Running 
There is no hard shoulder on these sections of motorway; there is a broken white line between each lane, indicating that all lanes have the same status. Refuge areas are available for emergency use.  The variable speed limits will be used to adjust speed limits during busy periods to control the flow of vehicles and prevent traffic grinding to a halt. The current speed limit will be displayed on signs over or at the side of the carriageway.  We use a red X symbol to show that a lane is closed because of an incident or some other obstruction, or people working in the road. Driving in a lane with a red X symbol is dangerous. You could be prosecuted.  

What are the benefits? 
Smart motorways relieve congestion and smooth the flow of the traffic, improving safety and journey times, and supporting economic development. We already have evidence of the benefits a smart motorway scheme can bring. The first smart motorway opened to traffic on the M42 in the Midlands in 2006; analysis of the data gathered since opening found that journey times improved, and emissions reduced due to traffic flowing more smoothly. 

In addition, personal injury accidents have reduced by more than half since hard shoulder running was introduced; with an overall reduction in the severity of accidents.  

The ‘Get Smart’ campaign has been created to help road users understand the different driving environments, types of signs and signals they will see and what to do in the event of a breakdown when travelling on a smart motorway. Each of these key themes is easily identifiable through a series of icons that appear on all of the campaign materials and on the Agency’s website.  
   
M25 Junctions 23-27  Click here for more details
 
 

Cllr Jeane Lea organised a meeting held today with officers of EFDC to review the current status of measures underway to resolve the flooding problems seen in Farm Hill Road and other parts of Waltham Abbey.  

The meeting also attended by Councillors Glynis Shiell, Helen Kane and Syd Stavrou focused on the perceived weakness in the current drainage system.  The officers described the problems identified, and gave a full picture of the drainage system in the town.  

As for Farm hill Road there will need to be extensive roadworks with attendant traffic management at the busy junction between Farm Hill Road and Sewardstore road.  The required works are to be scheduled in the near future.

Cllr Lea will address Thames Water authorities at a future meeting with questions regarding the efficiency and the operation of the  pumping stations in the town.

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing welcomes funding for long-awaited crossing in Waltham Abbey.
Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing has praised the efforts of Waltham Abbey Conservative councillors in securing funding for a much-needed crossing at Crooked Mile. 
Confirmation of the final £125,000 for the signal-controlled crossing near the junction with Saxon Way follows a previous allocation of £52,000 from the Epping Forest Local Highways Panel.
Mrs Laing said: "This crossing is the result of a lot of hard work by local Waltham Abbey councillors over the last ten years. "It will help improve road safety at the junction and will be much appreciate by pedestrians and motorists alike. It will be particularly welcomed by the children at Waltham Holy Cross School who have to cross this busy road."