A SENIOR County Councillor has called on all Essex MPs to demand Government investment in the A12.

Councillor Rodney Bass, in charge of highways, said the road was the “transportation backbone of the Essex economy” and comes after calls for the upgrade were made by Chelmsford MP Simon Burns and Priti Patel, MP for Witham.

Mr Bass said: “What is needed is a triple lane motorway between the M25 and Ipswich – no ifs and no buts.

“This sort of scheme at an investment cost of some £2 billion and suitable investment in the A120 and A127 would do more to stimulate economic growth than wasting government money on HS2.”

Mr Bass also reiterated his call for a ban on HGVs overtaking between 6am and 8pm and the introduction of arrow markings so that HGVs stay a safe distance from vehicles in front.

He also called for the restoration of A12 Police Patrols, pledging £100,000 per year from Essex County Council in support of the service and asking again for financial support from the Highways Agency and the Police and Crime Commissioner.