EXPANDING the A12 between Marks Tey and Chelmsford has been labelled a “billion pound gamble”.

Highways England is working on proposals which will see three lanes of traffic run the distance from Colchester to Chelmsford.

Bosses say the new A12, which includes new bypasses at Rivenhall End and Kelvedon, will save up to 12 minutes on daily journeys, improve safety and boost the economy.

However, campaigners have hit out at the plans, which would mean ten lanes of traffic running through north Essex villages.

They have objected to the consultation on the plans, which closed this week.

Planning campaigner Rosie Pearson said: “A report for the Campaign for Better Transport reviewed the highways agency’s trunk road schemes and found the agency’s forecasts underestimate the effect on traffic, air quality, noise and greenhouse gas emissions. They also fail to predict the economic impact and whether schemes will be good value for money.

“It concluded that and said road building is a billion pound gamble

“This A12 widening proposal looks let to be a similar billion pound gamble with taxpayers’ money, putting the health of residents at risk.”

She added: “It will increase air pollution, noise pollution, destroy countryside and increase traffic.”

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Colchester Cycling Campaign said not enough was being done to encourage alternative methods of travel, stating: “Highways England and the Government must recognise and mitigate the effect of road building and increased trunk road capacity on both urban and rural traffic growth.

“The bulk of journeys made on the A12 begin and end in towns such as Colchester, while many more come from the hundreds of villages dotted around Essex.

“Any growth in motor traffic caused by the new, wider A12 will increase urban congestion. Colchester is already at its limit.”

The group has suggested a new Marks Tey bridge, plus cycleways from Stanway to Marks Tey and between various villages and towns along the route of the road.

Highways England intends to submit its application for next summer whilst construction could start at the end of 2023 for completion in 2027/2028.

Official estimates for the cost of the scheme are between £1billion and £1.3billion.

Visit highwaysengland.citizenspace.com.