Letter: Have your say on A12 proposals

Construction work is expected to start in late 2023.

The new A12 will be built on-line for most of the route, with a bypass at Rivenhall End and major changes to junctions and local accesses.

There will, of course, be many questions that local residents and communities will have about the plans, which are a “once in a generation” change.

There is no doubt that the A12 needs to be made safer, but there will be negative environmental impacts in some areas and Highways England say the new widened A12 is being built to take traffic growth. 

That runs counter to the need to tackle climate change and to improve air quality. 
Environmental mitigation will be important and we believe that should include a major scheme of tree planting and measures to reduce traffic growth, including provision for buses on the detrunked sections of road, reconnection of public rights of way that were cut by the A12 in the 1960s and also investment in safe cycling routes in the area.

Full details about the A12 proposals can be found on the Highways England website, including dates for webinars. The consultation runs until August 16.

Paper copies of the plans can be viewed at local libraries and there will also be a series of public events, the first two of which are at Rivenhall Hotel today from 2pm to 8pm; and then at Spring Lodge Community Centre on Saturday from noon until 5pm. For the north Witham and Rivenhall End area the proposed new junction and local links do appear to offer the prospect of better safety and importantly, the removal of much of the HGV and through traffic from Rivenhall End, which is a vital issue for residents who live there. 

But Highways England is proposing to have construction compounds and borrow pits near Rivenhall End. So the consultation period will be an important opportunity for residents to have their say.

Councillor James Abbott
Councillor Bob Wright
District councillors for Silver End and Cressing ward (which includes Rivenhall)