CAMPAIGNING villagers have raised more than £45,000 in an effort to take Highways bosses on in court.

Residents in Messing have hit out at National Highways’ bid to widen the A12 to three lanes between Boreham and Marks Tey in the coming years.

Junction 24 at Kelvedon will then be moved back west along the A12 to link up with Inworth Road.

It is also being moved because a new bypass is being built between Kelvedon and Marks Tey which will see the A12 between the two villages moved south.

Gazette: Dangerous - Messing Primary School's head teacher says plans to expand the A12 pose a serious threat to pupilsDangerous - Messing Primary School's head teacher says plans to expand the A12 pose a serious threat to pupils (Image: Messing and Inworth Action Group)

Campaigners from the Messing and Inworth Action Group have fought the plans since their inception, raising fears the lorries could overwhelm the tight country roads which serve the area.

They have now raised more than £45,000 so they can mount a legal challenge against the scheme in the courts should their concerns continue “to fall on deaf ears”.

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A National Highways spokesman told the Gazette it will continue to work to resolve the concerns of residents.

But MIAG founder Andrew Harding believes the authority has no other intention than to go full steam ahead with the current blueprints.

Gazette: Country roads - lorries could drive along here under the blueprintsCountry roads - lorries could drive along here under the blueprints (Image: Messing and Inworth Action Group)

He said: “We are increasing pressure on them to change the structure of the proposed roundabout at the top of Inworth.

“Nobody is arguing the need to do something with the A12 and make it a safer road but the way this is done needs to be fair to everyone involved.

“We have raised all of this money; we have lawyers, traffic and planning experts. We are more convinced of our strength than ever.

“We now believe we have sufficient legal and technical information to prove to the planning inspector that National Highways is wrong in what it is proposing to do.

Gazette: Dangerous - youngsters use Messing's roads to walk to schoolDangerous - youngsters use Messing's roads to walk to school (Image: Messing and Inworth Action Group)

“The blight and destruction of two ancient villages should now be very much of concern to the examining authority.”

The National Highways spokesman said: "The proposed changes to the A12 between Chelmsford and the A120 will transform the A12 by improving safety, reducing congestion and helping to move traffic away from country roads and nearby villages.

“It will also support economic growth and provide improvements for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and public transport users.

"We will continue to listen to local residents and work to resolve their concerns."

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