A12 widening: Legal challenge could delay project for years

Transport Minister Huw Merriman confirmed in January that a £1.2 billion plan from National Highways was given the green light.

The plan would see two major bypasses built at Rivenhall End and between the Kelvdeon north and Marks Tey Turnings.

However, after a conversation with Mark Harper, the secretary of State for Transport, Witham MP Dame Priti Patel has confirmed a legal challenge has been raised against the scheme.

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

The National Highways has confirmed the legal challenge is being considered by the High Court.

The challenge could add months or years’ worth of delays, according to Dame Priti.

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.

“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.”

It is hoped the plans will help divert vehicles like HGVs from the area.

Alongside this, general improvements are expected to be made of Junction 19, the Boreham Interchange, and Junction 25, the Marks Tey interchange.

Approved - the A12 at Marks Tey, where a new bypass will be constructed (Image: Geographer)

New junctions will also be created to replace the J20a and J20b for Hatfield Peverel and the J23 for Kelvedon south.

Essex Council leader Kevin Bentley does not know where the legal challenge has come from but is disappointed.

He said: “I think it is a shame, no one I have met hasn’t agreed the A12 needs to be improved.

“I am very grateful for local people in Messing for raising those concerns and we will work with them.

“Overall, having this legal challenge does raise a challenge, so more cars will be congested on the A12.

Essex Council leader - Councillor Kevin Bentley (Image: N/A)

“This is public money that will no doubt be wasted as we have to go through this legal challenge, it’s the taxpayers’ money.

“As the leader of the council, I am determined to work with National Highways, Dame Priti and community representatives as this project moves forward.”

Councillor Paul Thorogood believes the A12 widening could lead to property developments like West Tey.

He said: “I was in favour of improving the junctions, as they are all unsafe, the ones in Kelvedon, Rivenhall End, and Witham, they’re really bad.

“If the whole project does get delayed as Dame Priti thinks, then that would delay more housing coming into the area such as West Tey, and that is a good thing as I’m concerned.

“If this goes ahead that will partly unlock the area for developers.

“If it doesn’t go ahead, large-scale housing is less likely.”

National Highways’ project director Philip Davie said: “We stand by our plans and remain confident that our proposals to improve the A12 will increase safety, reduce congestion, and futureproof the road for economic growth in the East of England.

“We cannot confirm when we can start to deliver these vital improvements until the legal challenge is resolved.”