HUGE plans to widen three lanes on the A12 could be delayed by years after a legal challenge was submitted, an MP has claimed. 

In January, it was confirmed by Transport Minister Huw Merriman that a £1.2billion plan from National Highways would go ahead.

The plan would be to widen lanes between Colchester and Chelmsford by building two major bypasses at Rivenhall End and between the Kelvedon north and Marks Tey turnings.

However, Witham MP Dame Priti Patel has shared concerns after being notified by Mark Harper, the secretary of State for Transport, that a legal challenge has been raised.

Gazette: Concerned - MP Dame Priti PatelConcerned - MP Dame Priti Patel (Image: Richard Townshend Photography)

The exact nature of the legal challenge against the development consent order granted for the scheme is currently unknown.

But Dame Priti fears it could add months or years’ worth of delays.

She said: “The scheme to widen the A12 to make it safer and improve journey times will have significant benefits to the economy, road safety and the environment.

“It has received considerable levels of support and will give our county and the wider region a boost.

“There are some local concerns about parts of the design of the scheme and I am in contact with those impacted.

“But this legal challenge will prevent the ability of National Highways to engage constructively with those communities to find ways to mitigate and address the issues that they have.”

 “We have seen legal challenges on other road schemes in the past and while they have usually failed, they have caused lengthy delays leading to rising costs and other impacts.”

It is hoped the A12 widening will also divert HGVs, which make up about ten per cent of traffic on this stretch of the A12, from local roads where the transport infrastructure is more suited to cars.

Improvements are expected to be made to junction 19, the Boreham interchange, and junction 25, the Marks Tey interchange.

Three new junctions will also be constructed to replace the existing J20a and J20b for Hatfield Peverel and J23 for Kelvedon south.

The National Highways website suggests work on the project could start this year and be finished in 2027-28.

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: ‘We cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings.

“This government backs drivers which is why we’re investing over £24bn into our roads to reduce congestion, create jobs and grow the economy.

“We also have our long-term Plan for Drivers to slam the brakes on anti-car measures and keep the country moving.”