Politicians in Essex have spoken of their frustration after the Government axed plans to widen the A12.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander cancelled the long-awaited £1.2 billion project, planned for the road near Chelmsford, in a bid to save cash.

The scheme, approved by the previous Government in January 2024, would involve widening a 15-mile stretch of the road from Chelmsford to the A120 junction at Marks Tey.

Chelmsford MP Marie Goldman said: “I’m extremely disappointed about this news. This investment was needed to help secure the infrastructure to support the delivery of around 55,000 new homes in the local area.

“That’s a big chunk of the 1.5 million new homes that the Labour Government has pledged to build by the end of this Parliament. This lack of investment will make it much more difficult for Chelmsford and beyond to deliver the housing numbers we need. It feels a very short-sighted decision by the Government.”

Cllr Louise McKinlay, deputy leader of Essex County Council, said the project was essential to allow ambitious plans for new homes, jobs and economic growth and that its axing could have a significant, adverse impact on economic prosperity across the county.

She went on: “The 16 mile stretch of the A12 between Chelmsford and Colchester is widely acknowledged as being unfit for purpose; indeed a recent satisfaction survey by Transport Focus rated the A12 as the worst A-road in the country following a survey of 9,000 road users.

“It is frankly essential that improvements to this vitally important corridor are made. I will be seeking an urgent meeting with Government ministers to discuss how the opportunity presented by the widening project, which has been many years in the making, is not lost.

“Having previously decided not to progress an upgrade to the A120, which is the other key corridor in Essex managed by National Highways in much need of improvement, if the Government does not now deliver any of the consented and previously-committed works needed on the A12 corridor this would represent a double-whammy for Essex which we must avoid.”

Colchester City Council leader Cllr David King said: “The Government’s A12 announcement is extraordinary. It undermines their own ambitions for housing and economic growth – both of which are vital, and both of which rely on the infrastructure to support them.

“Promises must be kept. Investment must be delivered.

“This is a call to arms: to councils, businesses and residents across Essex to join us in pushing for a rethink.

“We already face an uphill challenge in persuading our communities to support more homes and further development. This decision makes that case much harder to argue, even though we know the long-term benefits it can bring.

“I urge ministers to talk with us and other Essex councils, not abandon years of work, and to keep the A12 on the table.”

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