A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening Have your say

A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening Have your say

Contents Why do we need to improve the A12? 4 The options for improvement 6 Juctions 7 The options 8 How to respond 12 Public information events 13 We re developing options to reduce congestion and improve safety on the A12, and we want your views. 2 3

Why do we need to improve the A12? The A12 between Chelmsford and Marks Tey is a vital transport link. Locally, it provides the main commuter route to and from all nearby towns, while nationally it is a major freight route through Essex and Suffolk, and connects Ipswich to London. But it needs major improvement for several reasons: Congestion Several sections of the road are almost past their intended capacity, causing major delays that will only get worse. Every day up to 90,000 vehicles travel between Boreham (junction 19) and Marks Tey (junction 25). Forecasts reveal that by 2038 the A12 will be operating above its capacity, which will only increase congestion if nothing is done to address this problem. Safety In the past 5 years, the junctions along this stretch of the A12 have experienced 3 fatal collisions and 12 serious accidents. By improving the road to increase capacity, we can make it safer for everybody, including pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians as well as motorists. Economic growth By improving the overall traffic flow of such a major route, it opens possibilities for growth, making it an easier commute and offering better access to local towns for businesses. By improving the overall traffic flow on the A12, it opens possibilities for growth, making it an easier commute and offering better access to local towns for businesses. Junctions The 8 junctions along this section of the A12 suffer from a number of problems, including below standard slip roads and capacity problems which can cause tailbacks. 4 5

The options for improvement Junctions The Government announced its decision to improve the capacity along this stretch of the Option 1 This option widens the A12 between junctions The 8 junctions along this section of the A12 suffer from a number of problems: A12 in the Roads Investment Strategy 2015. 19-25 (Boreham to Marks Tey/A120) by using the existing highway boundary or adjacent land. Short distance between some junctions We have engaged locally and worked with local authorities and partners to develop options which improve safety and reduce journey times. Option 2 This option would widen the road along the means there is reduced space for drivers trying to merge onto the A12. Some slip roads are below current existing A12 except where widening could design standards. We have identified 4 options for consultation have a high local impact. Two new bypasses Private accesses on several slip roads. to improve the A12 between junctions 19-25 (Boreham Interchange to the A120 interchange at Marks Tey). would take traffic off the A12 and onto a newly created A12 between junctions 22-23 (Colemans to Kelvedon South) and junctions Access roads and local properties Where the road is widened along the present Slip roads at the same level as the A12 that do not give enough room for drivers to accelerate onto the A12. 24-25 (Kelvedon North to Marks Tey/A120). route, it is likely that the existing access Insufficient slip road capacity The options look at either widening the A12 to three lanes in each direction across the entire section, or widening part of the A12 and Option 3 This option is the same as Option 2, but roads may need to be removed, and new accesses created. This consultation does not include any new access roads. can cause tailbacks. We will be developing a junction strategy building new sections of road at key points. with one new bypass between junctions to improve the junctions and we want 22-23 (Colemans to Kelvedon South). Where an option has an impact on local to know your concerns and how you Option 4 This option is the same as Option 2 but properties, we will engage with those directly affected. think they could be addressed. with one new bypass between junctions 24-25 (Kelvedon North to Marks Tey/A120). 6 7

Option 1 Chelmsford Rivenhall Marks Tey Junction 19 Boreham Junction 22 Junction 20a Junction 20b Rivenhall End Kelvedon Junction 25 Junction 24 Junction 23 Copford Feering Witham Junction 21 Easthorpe Hatfield Peverel N Little Baddow Legend Widening of existing A12 Wickham Bishops Option 2 Chelmsford Rivenhall Marks Tey Junction 19 Boreham Junction 22 Junction 20a Junction 20b Rivenhall End Kelvedon Junction 25 Junction 24 Junction 23 Copford Feering Witham Junction 21 Easthorpe Hatfield Peverel N Little Baddow Legend Wickham Bishops Widening of existing A12 New Bypass Current A12 8 Crown copyright and database rights 2017 Ordnance Survey 100030649 9

Option 3 Chelmsford Rivenhall Marks Tey Junction 19 Boreham Junction 22 Junction 20a Junction 20b Rivenhall End Kelvedon Junction 25 Junction 24 Junction 23 Copford Feering Witham Junction 21 Easthorpe Hatfield Peverel N Legend Little Baddow Widening of existing A12 New Bypass Current A12 Wickham Bishops Option 4 Chelmsford Rivenhall Marks Tey Junction 19 Boreham Junction 22 Junction 20a Junction 20b Rivenhall End Kelvedon Junction 25 Junction 24 Junction 23 Copford Feering Witham Junction 21 Easthorpe Hatfield Peverel N Little Baddow Legend Wickham Bishops Widening of existing A12 New Bypass Current A12 10 Crown copyright and database rights 2017 Ordnance Survey 100030649 11

How to respond Public information events The consultation runs between Monday 23 January and Friday 3 March 2017. At this stage we are consulting only on the broad options. We want to hear your views on the most appropriate route and the existing junctions along the route. View all the proposals and respond to the consultation online: www.highways.gov.uk/a12chelmsforda120widening For more information please get in touch: @ A12chelmsfordA120wide@highwaysengland.co.uk Find out more about our proposals at one of our events. Members of the team will be available to answer your questions and explain the options. Location Date Time Boreham Village Hall Saturday 4 February 11am 5pm Rivenhall Hotel Monday 6 February 1pm 8pm Marks Tey Parish Hall Tuesday 7 February 1pm 8pm 0300 123 5000 Charter Hall, Colchester Friday 10 February 1pm 8pm Spring Lodge Centre, Witham Saturday 11 February 11am 5pm Consultation closes 23:59pm Friday 3 March 2017 Feering Community Centre Tuesday 14 February 1pm 8pm Civic Centre, Chelmsford Wednesday 15 February 1pm 8pm Consultation closes 11:59pm Friday 3 March 12 13

If you need help accessing this or any other Highways England information, please call 0300 123 5000 and we will help you. Crown copyright 2017. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence: visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk. This document is also available on our website at www.gov.uk/highways. If you have any enquiries about this publication email info@highwaysengland.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000*. Please quote the Highways England publications code PR195/16 Highways England Creative job number S160566 *Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone. Calls may be recorded or monitored. Printed on paper from well-managed forests and other controlled sources. Registered office Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford GU1 4LZ Highways England Company Limited registered in England and Wales number 09346363