A councillor has accused council bosses of "sitting on the fence" over the controversial issue of the A120 development.

At a full meeting of Braintree Council, councillors debated Highways Agency proposals for replacing the existing A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey with a new dual carriageway.

The proposed route would run north of Cressing and Silver End, between Coggeshall and Kelvedon, and join the A12 north of Feering.

Graham Butland, council leader, (Con, Great Notley and Braintree West) said: "With regards to the A120 proposals, we need to balance the benefits against the impact on the environment."

But James Abbott (Green, Bradwell, Silver End and Rivenhall) said he thought the council was not being decisive with regards to the A120 development and question of a second runway at Stansted.

He said: "These are two of the biggest development issues in a generation but the council sits on the fence.

"Let's defend the countryside we have left."

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Published Friday, February 18, 2005

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