New figures published by the Department for Transport last week reveal drivers on the A120 are held up for 76 seconds for every mile travelled, an increase of almost four times compared to four years ago.

The figures represent both stretches of the A120, between Harwich and Colchester and between Marks Tey and Stansted, as a whole.

Elsewhere, the A1099 in Chelmsford is the slowest A-road in the county, where the delay for every mile travelled is more than 2.5 minutes.

What do drivers think about the A120?

Commuter Martin Way drives from Harwich to Stansted several times a week and thinks the worst stretch of the road is between Marks Tey and Braintree.

He said: “Having to wait on a busy trunk road for bin trucks to empty bins and people to right turn into driveways delays everything.

"The queues can be ridiculous.”

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Martin’s journey, which used to take about an hour, is often further delayed by ongoing roadworks on the A12 which he has to contend with as he travels between the two sections of the A120.

Wayne Tearle also regularly drives to Stansted and has parents who drive between Colchester and Harwich.

The A120 stretches between Harwich and Colchester and between Marks Tey and Stansted (Image: Geographer)

“The condition of the road is bumpy and even turbulence on a Ryanair flight seems smooth to the condition of the road,” he said.

He said he is “not surprised accidents are happening” on busy stretches between Braintree and Marks Tey.

The stretch of road between Horsley Cross and Ramsey also concerns Wayne after a string of accidents which led to calls for the speed limit to be slashed to 50mph.

“It needs to be dualled all the way from Stansted to Harwich especially as lorries slow the traffic down from Harwich,” he added.

Another driver, Alexandra Woolmore, thinks the rush hour traffic is “horrific” in the Marks Tey area.

“I try not to use [the A120] at any time if I can help it,” she said.

“People turning in and out of Poplar Nurseries also slow traffic, particularly at the weekend as the road is not wide enough there for cars to pass around them.”

A spokesman for National Highways said: “Like road users we are acutely aware of issues along sections of the A120, especially the single carriageway sections between Stansted and Harwich in terms of journey reliability and safety.

“We know the importance investment in our network can make locally, regionally and nationally.

“It can make areas more attractive for inward investment, unlock new sites for employment and housing and facilitate regeneration.

“It can also ease congestion, improve our customers’ journeys, and support environmental improvements in urban and rural communities along our network.”

He added there has been “considerable dialogue” between stakeholders over the last few years to set out “shared ambitions” to improve the A120 and other roads in Essex.