Priti secures DFT action on A12 Widening Scheme delays
Witham MP Priti Patel has secured a commitment from the Department for Transport to take action to avoid further delays with delivering the A12 Widening Scheme. The scheme, which would see the A12 widened into a three-lane carriageway, is crucial to improving safety and to supporting economic growth and job creation across the region. Funding for the scheme had been committed by the Government but changes to housing and development plans have delayed further progress from being made including an announcement on the route alignment.
This week Priti has received a letter from the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, confirming that they were working across Government and with local councils to take the scheme forward and would be taking into account the need to avoid further delays. She has also discussed the scheme with the Roads Minister Jesse Norman. Priti said:
“The widening of the A12 is one of the most important infrastructure projects in Essex. The benefits to local businesses and the whole East of England economy is significant and I was pleased to secure the commitment to invest in this project from the Government.”
“An announcement on the route alignment should have been made months ago but has been delayed as future housing and development plan ideas have been brought forward. These delays are causing anxiety to families living near the route and to businesses frustrated with the current delays they experience. I have been in close contact with Government Ministers over this as the scheme must be progressed as soon as possible. I will continue to work with them to find a solution that gets the scheme delivered as soon as possible.”