THE man responsible for infrastructure across Essex is to lobby the Government to get a major route dualled after Harwich won freeport status.

Harwich and Felixstowe were jointly named as one of eight new freeports across the country in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s budget.

His move to allow the creation of Freeport East immediately focused attention on the A120, one of the major routes across Essex.

The road has been at the centre of a long-running campaign to improve it, and, with trade now set to increase, the deputy leader of Essex County Council Kevin Bentley said he’s pushing hard for action.

Highways England is progressing plans for a dual carriageway upgrade of the road from Braintree to Colchester and Mr Bentley said similar improvements were needed from Hare Green to Harwich.

He said: “The creation of Freeport East paves the way for a major economic boost to the area and to maximise this we need a transport network that matches the ambition.

“It is well known the A120, the only single carriageway road in the country with an airport at one end and an international port at the other, is woefully unfit for purpose.

“As the benefits of freeport status begin to take effect this situation will only get worse and we must not take our eye off the vital need to upgrade the A120.”

Gazette: Traffic has been an issue on the A120 towards HarwichTraffic has been an issue on the A120 towards Harwich

The exact cost of the improvements is not yet know but the Government has pledged £2.2 billion for the east of England and any improvement to the A120 will be included in this investment.

Mr Bentley added: “We want to make sure it is a road which is going to be suited for purpose for decades to come, therefore, it is important we do protect villages.

“It is important we are using the right kind of materials on the surface that reduce noise of vehicles going along them so people are protected and making sure the quality of life within those villages is important by having less traffic going through them.

“It’s not dualled towards Harwich and, in my view, this is what needs to happen; whether this means we have a new route or a new lane on the same route is the work we need to do.

“My argument to the Government is we’ve got this fantastic freeport which is going to increase trade, jobs and wealth so you have to make sure the infrastructure matches it.”

Gazette readers have also backed the calls for action.

Dave Richardson said: “That’s the least the council should be doing for the people of Harwich and Dovercourt and businesses.”

But Janet Debath said: “This has been going on for years, never happening.”