The route of the controversial A130 bypass could still be changed at the eleventh hour, scrapping 20 years' work.

Essex County Council has advertised a number of alternatives to the proposed route made by objectors.

The inspector at next week's public inquiry will have the power to abandon the current scheme and recommend another if he chooses.

Alternative route A passes to the west of the proposed route to run between Shotgate and Rawreth Shot - to the south of the Southend to London rail line.

Dualling part of the existing A130 and installing traffic lights and other measures to improve the flow of vehicles is alternative B.

Alternative C is similar to the proposed route, except the A129 diversion would pass over the bypass rather than under it.

The last scheme, alternative D, asks for the A130 from the A132 to the A127 to be dualled to enable it to deal with more traffic, while the new bypass would be scrapped.

Shocked councillors at meetings in Wickford and Rochford accused the county council of keeping them in the dark.

Wickford area committee councillors said they were very concerned the route was still under discussion when the forthcoming inquiry was called "Side road orders and compulsory purchase orders".

Councillor Iris Pummell said: "These new routes would have a terrible environmental impact on Shotgate. We have fought for the best scheme. We need to put our views very strongly."

Rochford councillor Heather Glynn said an advert detailing the proposals was like putting two fingers up at Rochford Council.

She said: "The road has started. I'm ashamed of Essex County Council - I thought we were supposed to have a partnership."

A conditional contract on the southern section of the A130 is in place depending on the outcome of the inquiry.

Colin Cranley, spokesman for the county council's highways department, said the new routes and proposals had come from objectors and not the authority.

He said: "Objectors who have decided they don't like the proposed route, as it goes through their houses, have come up with other routes.

"They have to be published and the objectors have to make their case to the inspector. The route has been decided, but if the inspector preferred an objector's route it could change.

"It's taken us 20 years to get this far. It could take another 20 years to look at a new scheme but that is the price of democracy."

Proposed site - a view of the mooted A130 bypass, looking towards Turnpike from Hoe Lane

Picture: NICK ANSELL

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