COUNCILS across Essex have signed a letter asking for an urgent meeting with the government after the A12 widening scheme was cancelled.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander shelved the widening scheme which was planned for the A12 between Colchester and Chelmsford, last week.
The project would have widened the 15-mile stretch of road from Chelmsford to the A120, which is used by about 90,000 vehicles a day.
Ms Alexander told MPs the previous Conservative Government promised infrastructure projects but had “no plan to pay for them”.
The local authorities of Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester, Maldon, and Tendring, along with Essex County Council have now written to Ms Alexander.
The councils have shared their concern and have also called for an urgent meeting.
READ MORE: Why does A12 need a third carriageway from widening scheme?
Braintree Council said the A12 stretch between Chelmsford and Colchester has been “consistently ranked as the worst A-road in the country by road users” due to issues such as journey time, safety, and road condition.
The councils have also raised concerns with the significant implications for housing, economic, inclusive growth, and local plans.
The letters states in Braintree it will cause uncertainty around strategic growth and challenges in meeting new housing targets, with about 9,000 homes potentially affected.
In Brentwood the cancellation could affect the ability to deliver new housing growth with their target of 724 homes per year.
In Chelmsford it will impact the “full improvements” to Junction 19 of the A12 are required to deliver future strategic housing and employment growth.
In Maldon the impacts will be to new link roads and thousands of new homes.
While in Tendring the letter says it will affect projects such as the Freeport at Harwich.
The letter also says the cancellation will affect “the capacity needed to enable an upgrade of the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey in the longer-term.”
Councillor Louise McKinlay, deputy leader of Essex County Council, said: "The cancellation of the A12 widening scheme is a significant setback for our region's growth and development.
“This is why all councils affected by this announcement have come together to urge the government to reconsider this decision and engage with us to find a viable solution.
He said: “We hope the government will urgently meet with us and our partner authorities to discuss this decision, as the impact on our district's future development and the delivery of 9,000 new homes is potentially substantial."
