Long-awaited road improvements look set to get a major boost as part of a multi-billion pound Government package just announced.

The extra cash means new hopes that schemes like the Parkeston bypass and improvements to the A127 and A13 will get underway.

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North Essex: Parkeston bypass hopes

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette

The extra funding made available to Essex County Council means it is hoped schemes at Jaywick and Parkeston will now go ahead - including the remaining stage of the Parkeston bypass.

The county council, which applied for £20 million of funding for schemes countywide, warned it was impossible to say definitely at this stage which schemes in Essex would benefit.

However, Harwich MP Ivan Henderson said he was "delighted" with the cash award and confident it would mean the roadworks at Parkeston and Jaywick could now go ahead.

The two improvement programmes were among about 20 schemes due to be announced by Transport Minister Keith Hill today under the Government's Local Transport Plan initiative.

Mr Henderson said he had received confirmation of the increased Government finance to the county council.

He said: "I have raised the needs of Jaywick and Parkeston on the floor of the House of Commons in order to promote their importance within our Local Transport Plan.

"The Minister's announcement coupled with the major financial injection from the Government for Essex roads should now result in genuine improvements for both Jaywick and Parkeston.

"This initiative will provide a marvellous opportunity for Jaywick and Parkeston to receive long overdue improvements in their roads and street lighting."

But the final decision still rests with the county council.

Essex County Council principal engineer Colin Cranley said: "What they announce is a certain sum but it's up to the council politicians to see how they want to spend it. It's impossible to decide the outcome of delicate negotiations."

South Essex: £14m to ease Southend jams

A127 and A13 to be improved

Brought to you by the Evening Echo

Southend has received a £14 million windfall to ease gridlock on the roads.

Today's (Thursday's) announcement of a Government handout came as regeneration minister Hilary Armstrong headed to the seaside town for a tour of the major traffic problems facing Southend residents.

Council bosses were confident the visit was to bring good news and were hopeful the £14 million was the first phase of a £36 million bid spread out over five years.

Essex will receive £27 million this year - up from £10 million last year - which is earmarked for smaller roads schemes and maintenance countywide.

The £14 million earmarked for Southend should go some way to easing horrendous journeys on the strained A127 and A13 roads in Southend.

Speaking before the official announcement, Southend's Tory leader Charles Latham said: "We believe Southend is to receive a substantial share of the money that has been allocated to Essex. The minister would not come here to tell us we are getting nothing.

"We are quietly confident our major bid to improve the A127 to include Cuckoo Corner and Priory Crescent and also to improve traffic flow along the A13 will be successful.

"If we are successful in securing the cash we made a bid for, it is a very good example of how Southend becoming a unitary authority has brought improvement benefits to the town."

Southend would also spend the money on its five year local transport plan which includes sorting out problems on the arterial roads, bus priority measures, improvements to bus infrastructure and travel information on bus shelters.

Meanwhile, a multi-million plan to build an overpass or underpass at the notorious Sadlers Farm roundabout is being put on hold until Government ministers get more information.

Ministers have indicated they are in favour of four Castle Point schemes, including a dual carriageway along Canvey Way, an extension to Roscommon Way and a new bus route to Pitsea.

But they say they need more information and more consultation to be carried out locally before they will give funding, said Castle Point MP Christine Butler .

Mrs Butler said: "I am arranging for an urgent meeting between ministers, highways chiefs and myself to discuss all the schemes but I think the 165 per cent increase in the integrated transport plan funds is excellent news."

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