A HIGHWAYS boss has welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron’s pledge to pay towards a study to dual the A120.

Mr Cameron announced on a visit to north Essex last Friday thataConservative government would pay the extra £4million needed to fund the feasibility study to examine how the road could be dualled between Marks Tey and Braintree.

Essex County Council has already pledged £5million towards the £9million study.

Paul Bird, director for rransport infrastructure at Essex County Council, said: “We welcome the promise of match funding for the A120 feasibility study from the Prime Minister, obviously dependent on which is party or parties are elected on May 7.

“Improvements to the A120 are vital to the county’s economy, as the road is such an important strategic route through Essex, from the international port of Harwich through to Stansted Airport, with junctions linking it to the A12 and M11.”

During his visit, the Prime Minister stopped short of saying the plans would be included in the next Road Investment Strategy, due to be published in 2020.

It is thought dualling the road would cost about £500million.