WITHAM MP has addressed the delays in the station's redevelopment and asked for progress on widening the A12.

Witham MP, Priti Patel, has discussed local and strategic road and rail issues with the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper, at a meeting in the House of Commons. 

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Ms Patel discussed the delays to the redevelopment of Witham Station, future investment in rail infrastructure, the state of roads and potholes, and the importance of the A12 Widening Scheme and A120 Dualling Scheme for improving journey times, road safety, and economic development in Essex. 

In the summer of 2022, leaked Government documents revealed a multi-million-pound plan to create a dual-carriageway link road between Braintree and the A12 had been shelved.

Ms Patel said A12 widening scheme is a key infrastructure project to ease congestion, improve road safety and support economic growth in the region.

She said: "Investing in road infrastructure is vital to support economic growth in Essex and the whole of the east of England.

"The schemes for the A12 and A120 have been promoted for many years and while progress has been made in getting them delivered, more work is needed to address local issues and ensure the final plans are robust and fully funded.

"The region is an engine of economic growth but has been held back due to underinvestment in infrastructure.

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"I have been campaigning for new money for our roads and railways and raised with the Secretary of State the benefits to the whole country of investing in Essex.

"The plans to dual the A120 between Braintree and the A12 at Marks Tey have been delayed but because they are among the most advanced and developed strategic road plans in the country, I pressed the Secretary of State to do what he can to bring it forward earlier."