Priti secures A12/A120 roads meeting with Secretary of State for Transport

Published: 30th November 2022 - 1:26 pm Category: Local News

Witham MP Priti Patel has secured a meeting with the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP, to discuss the A12 widening scheme and A120 dualling scheme. Both schemes are key infrastructure projects to ease congestion, improve road safety and support economic growth in the region.

Priti highlighted the schemes at transport questions in the House of Commons, leading to the Secretary of State committing to a meeting with her and Essex County Council Leader, Cllr Kevin Bentley.

Priti said: “Investing in road infrastructure is vital to support economic growth in Essex and the whole of the east of England. The schemes for the A12 and A120 have been promoted for many years and while progress has been made in getting them delivered, more work is needed to address local issues and ensure the final plans are robust and fully funded. I am continuing to work closely with Cllr Kevin Bentley, local communities and businesses to ensure their views are put to Government and National Highways.”

Cllr Kevin Bentley commented: “I very much welcome the Secretary of State committing to a meeting with Priti and myself to discuss the A12 and A120. Essex County Council has been working closely with Priti and local communities over a number of years to get these schemes delivered in a way that benefits us and we will put that case to the Secretary of State.”

House of Commons Official Record, 24 November 2022, Columns 434-435.

Priti Patel (Witham) (Con)
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, will know that strike action on our railways will lead to more congestion on our roads. In Essex, that means more congestion on the A12 and A120. Will he kindly commit to meeting me and the leader of Essex County Council to discuss those two road schemes?

Mr Harper
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for her question and for her work when she was Home Secretary to strengthen the law to enable us to deal with those who cause disruption on our transport network. I would be delighted to meet her and the leader of Essex County Council to talk about those important road projects.

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