Compensation cash could be landing in the pockets of hundreds of Essex homeowners affected by the planned new A120 route.
But they could still be left with significantly reduced house prices and thousands of cars and lorries thundering past their front doors every day.
The Highway Agency's plans, which have yet to be given planning permission, will link Braintree with Marks Tey via a new nine-mile road.
David Sherwood from estate agents Fenn Wright said there will be both winners and losers if the £220 million project gets the go-ahead.
He said: "Hundreds of people who bought homes in a quiet rural location may end up with a motorway in their back garden.
"Those affected will be compensated and if they are left with significantly devalued houses the Highways Authority would be obliged to buy the property, but that does not make up for having to move their families into a new house."
But Mr Sherwood said the new route would put smiles on the faces of homeowners living alongside the section of the A12 that would effectively be bypassed by the new road.
The first in a series of exhibitions of the proposals was due to start today at 2pm and will be open until 8pm in St Paul's Church, Hay Lane South, Braintree
Download a plan of the A120 route (PDF format)
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Monday, February 7, 2005
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