Anyone been down the main Epping Road from High Beech recently?

The road was dug up (milled) last summer and a 20mph speed limit was imposed due to the resulting loose stones. I assumed they were half way through the resurfacing process but after about 2 months they painted road markings and removed the speed limit.

I'm glad I'm not the only person who was baffled by this! I can only assume they ran out of money. Either they viewed the current surface acceptable until more funding arrives, or perhaps the rough terrain dissuades people to drive fast? It's a pain in the arse, literally.

Unfortunately

I like this idea though. I'm currently following @Sumo 's advice and coming down east of the M11 from Hatfield Heath via Toot Hill, Theydon Garnon-ish and rejoining the main route at Snaresbrook.

Might try the service road for the return leg. My preferred route after Epping on the way home is via Epping Green to Roydon, so I might be able to make this link up.

This thread popped up the day after I rode/endured that road for the first time in a long time so I figured I'd also fill in the form. This is the response I got:

Current status: further investigation required

We have carried out an initial assessment of this issue, but we are working to gather further information to determine what action, if any, could be taken.

Regards,

Essex Highways

perhaps the rough terrain dissuades people to drive fast?

Having both ridden and driven down the Epping Road last weekend I can say that I for one could not tell that the surface was significantly different while driving...

And a uhhhg we're really busy and have got loads of other things to do update

Current status: inspection outcome

We have investigated and risk-assessed this issue. Every report we get is treated as very important and we aspire to repair all highway defects in good time. Essex is a large county and across a network covering more than 5000 miles of road, more than 1500 structures and 127,000 street lights we need to prioritise how we spend your council tax money to best effect for all residents. At present we prioritise our principal road network, the repair of the worst pot holes and other safety critical work such as flooding and bridge repairs. Our recent investigation of this issue has concluded that it is not as serious as many other issues we are aware of, so we won't be taking any further action on it. This does not mean that this report is not important to us. There is no need to report this issue again, as the location will be regularly monitored through future scheduled inspections and we may take action in the future if there has been significant deterioration.

Thanks for helping us to keep Essex roads in the best condition we can.

Regards,

Essex Highways

Honestly that about sums up what you come up against when you point out these issues..

I know of a few fairly obvious and straight forward issues that have been pointed out to Essex with previous issues and nothing was done.

I have been using the section from Robin Hood-Towards Woodford recently and I have seen riders are now riding in the main carriageway where car and lorry tyres have smoothed the surface some what towards the nearside. For me this was the issues that I would of expected to have been sorted with this current resurface in making the cycle lane safe and efficient.

The time before last they had left a ridge within the cycle lane right where you needed to place yourself to give a safe distance from the curb, this in turn pushed riders into the main carriageway which caused conflict with other road users.

Currently we have the same issue again with a sub standard surface.

I would love to hear why they could not use Tarmac as they have with Avey lane (Hang man hill road), esp as they have resurfaced the same stretch a number of times within a few years.

It has to be one of the busiest roads for cyclist in the area as most will use it to and from the lanes that run out to the sticks. I just hope that someone does not get hurt riding along there esp Woodford end where the surface is already broken up and stones are being flung up. This is not a slow road either..

Regards

Reporting it as a street fault is most likely not as effective as getting to the politicians. The reporting line is just the relevant departments marking their own work. Find out who the councillors are that deal with that area and get people (from cycling clubs, etc., or indeed also drivers who use that stretch regularly and want to help cyclists) writing letters. If you can demonstrate that, notwithstanding what the engineers reckon the priorities are, there is widespread public concern, the council/lead member can instruct Highways to sort it out. Happy to help with all that if you want me to.