Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to upgrade the A12 between London and Ipswich.

The current Road Investment Strategy includes a scheme which will widen the A12 from two to three lanes between Junction 19 (north of Chelmsford) and Junction 25 (A120 interchange). The scheme is in preliminary design stage and statutory consultation commenced on 22 June 2021, to run for 8 weeks until 16 August 2021. This is expected to lead to a Development Consent Order application in Spring 2022.

Highways England also has separate projects this year and next to resurface and change the concrete surface on the A12 between junctions 13 (Ingatestone) to 19 and junctions 25 to 26 (Colchester). Work on resurfacing the A12 between junctions 15 to 19 is due to begin in late July 2021. These works will ensure a smoother and safer ride on the A12 and help reduce noise.

In addition, Highways England is funded to develop an upgrade of the Copdock Interchange where the A12 meets the A14 to enable smoother journeys through the junction. Its findings will help inform our investment decisions for the next Road Investment Strategy (covering the years beyond 2025).

There are no current plans for widening other sections of the A12. To inform future investment decisions, Highways England is currently refreshing its route strategies which examine the current performance and future pressures on every part of its network including the A12.