A NEW road scheme to ease short-term congestion problems on the Fairglen Interchange by diverting Southend-bound traffic from the A130 onto the A127 via the A1245 has been unveiled.

The multi-million pound plans, which have been have been revealed by Essex County Council, aim to improve one of the most important junctions on the A127 over the next 30 years and form part of a £233million investment in highways, infrastructure and public transport by Essex County Council.

Tens of thousands of motorists use the A127/A130 Fairglen Interchange daily linking major towns and areas including Basildon, Canvey Island, Chelmsford, Southend and Thurrock.

Options for short and long-term schemes to safeguard and provide capacity to this junction until 2045 have both been released.

Short-term options include a new road linking the A130 and A1245, widened slip roads onto the Fairglen roundabout, auxiliary lanes on both A127 on-slips and a larger three-lane roundabout at Rayleigh Spur with signal controls.

The long-term scheme would see an underpass bypassing the Rayleigh Spur roundabout from the A130 towards the A13 and Canvey Island and an overpass linking traffic heading towards the Rayleigh Spur from Sadlers Farm junction up and onto the Southend-bound A127.

Residents are being urged to find out more about the plans at an event held today at the Holiday Inn, at Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park, from 1pm and 8pm, and tomorrow between 1pm and 8pm at the King John School in Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley.

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council deputy leader and cabinet member for economic growth, infrastructure and partnerships, said: “It is critically important for residents to come and see these plans because this is about where they live and how they travel about locally and their say is very important.

“We know that the Fairglen Interchange in its current state is not working for our residents and businesses during the rush hour. That is why we are being proactive in putting forward solutions.

“Keeping Essex moving is vital to supporting economic growth across the county.“Please take a minute to view these plans which aim to make a real improvement for those travelling around the south of the county for many years to come.”