Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure has pledged to challenge Government decisions affecting what he says is more than £1.6 billion of proposed road infrastructure, warning that the county is still expected to deliver growth.
Writing on LinkedIn, Mark Webster described the removal of the A127 Corridor for Growth scheme as “another major setback for Essex”, alongside the cancelled A12 widening and what he described as deferred A120 dualling schemes.
“The Government can remove schemes from its plans. It cannot remove the congestion, delays and pressures those schemes were designed to address,” he said.
Mr Webster argued that expectations for Essex to accommodate thousands of additional homes, support businesses and create jobs must be matched by investment in its transport network.
“Our transport network is already under considerable pressure, and without the right investment, those pressures will only increase,” he said. “Infrastructure must come first, not as an afterthought.”
The Reform UK councillor said he would seek answers from the Department for Transport and press both the Department and National Highways for a credible way forward.
“As Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure at Essex County Council, I will be challenging these decisions, seeking answers from the Department for Transport and continuing to press both the DfT and National Highways for a credible way forward,” he said.
The Government previously said the A12 widening scheme would not proceed because inherited commitments could not be afforded. In a parliamentary answer in January, it said it would work with National Highways and partners to explore smaller interventions addressing issues on the A12 and supporting housing growth.
Mr Webster also said the council was making progress on roads under its own control through increased repairs, higher standards and stronger accountability.
“We must do both. Improve the network we have today and fight for the infrastructure Essex needs tomorrow,” he said.
“Residents and businesses deserve reliable journeys, better connections and confidence that investment will actually be delivered.”
(Picture – Mapillary)
