FOREIGN Secretary James Cleverly is continuing to "highlight concerns and push the importance" of a major upgrade to the A120 after leaked Government documents revealed a long-awaited project had been shelved.

Mr Cleverly, MP for Braintree, said he had penned a letter to the newly-appointed roads minister, Katherine Fletcher MP, over fears for the future of a multi-million pound plan to create a dual-carriageway link road between Braintree and the A12 .

In July, the Gazette exclusively revealed the Department for Transport (DfT) was working on a handling plan for informing MPs, councils and the public about the shelving of the project.

The upgrade has been long-anticipated, with plans developed by Essex County Council in 2017 attracting huge investment.

National Highways took over the scheme in 2020 after millions of pounds of council-led investment, pledging to move it forward as one of dozens of ‘pipeline’ roads projects.

County Hall had hoped to see a route run from Galleys Corner at Braintree to the A12 to the south of Kelvedon.

But the documents suggest National Highways did not favour this option and was set to announce a different route prior to the shelving of the scheme.

Since the leak, the DfT has remained tight-lipped on the future of the project, insisting no decision has been made.

Mr Cleverly said: "I have written to the newly appointed roads minister to once again highlight my concerns and push the importance of major government investment in the A120.

"I stressed that the dual carriageway proposal will make the road network safer, support the smooth flow of traffic and encourage economic growth adding value to the local economy through new jobs, business and housing.

"It would also alleviate a significant existing bottleneck reduce the number of vehicles cutting through Braintree, causing gridlock at pinch points through our old market town.

"Its delivery at the earliest possible opportunity is vital so that residents, road users, businesses and the wider economy can reap the benefits."

One document says every ‘pipeline’ road project for 2025 to 2030 which exceeds £500 million in costs, including the A120 scheme, will be shelved until a wider review on affordability.

It adds: “The government will consider pipeline projects for further development based on our advice on a range of factors such as (but not limited to) strategic fit, value for money, affordability, environment, deliverability, and input from stakeholders.

“When the third roads investment strategy is published in 2024, it will specify which schemes are committed."

A DfT spokesman said: "No decision has been made on the A120 Braintree to A12 scheme and any updates will be set out in due course.”