CAMPAIGNERS have blasted “unsustainable” A12 widening plans which they say are “dangerous” for residents.

National Highways is planning to widen the A12 at Marks Tey where it links up with another major route on the A120.

Its development will see a new traffic light system installed where Coggeshall Road meets the roundabout which links the A120 with Marks Tey train station and to the A12.

As a result, the current roundabout and associated greenery will be removed to make way for the new infrastructure.

Furthermore, as part of the new A12 route which will see it shifted slightly eastward, a new exit at junction 25 will be created which will connect the road with the new system at the top of the A120.

It means Old London Road will become redundant and access to the former Anderson site will be reliant on the new infrastructure.

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Brothers Burt and Geoff Thomas, who has lived in Marks Tey for 44 years, fear the village will be eaten up by the new development which they say has no place there.

Geoff said: “Over the years Marks Tey has been the focal point of many questionable plans; it seems as though developers are trying to ruin the place.

“This was once a lovely village and it just makes you feel despondent. I feel like our concerns are being ignored, it’s like hitting my head against a brick wall.”

Burt added: “I think the plans are completely unsustainable for both the road and the village. There is going to be between 200 and 300 lorries going into the former Andersons site.

“The idea is to ease the traffic as much as possible but I’m not sure how this will help. I think it will cause chaos.”

Stephen Elderkin, project director for the A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening scheme, said: “Since our statutory consultation in summer, we have been analysing the responses and holding workshops with stakeholders to further understand their thoughts on the proposed scheme.

“We have carried out further design work based on that feedback and have launched a further consultation until December 19 to share those changes.”