£9 million boost for Essex routes

Essex County Council has secured over £9 million to tackle congestion and improve key routes in Essex.

£4.09 million has been promised by the Department for Transport towards a £10 million scheme to upgrade Junction 8 on the M11, helping to improve journeys for commuters and holidaymakers using the M11, A120 and nearby London Stansted Airport. The improvement also helps to support the local plans in the area.

It is being part-funded by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) and the Greater Cambridgeshire and Peterborough LEP as well as London Stansted Airport.

£4.95 million has also been pledged towards new slip roads linking the A120 to Millennium Way. It will also provide better access to Freeport Shopping Village. It is being part funded by Braintree District Council, Highways England and Essex County Council given its importance to accommodating growth.

Kevin Bentley, deputy leader for Essex County Council, said: “This funding will give a huge boost to regional economic growth along what are key routes for so many people who travel in and around Essex.

“Investment in roads infrastructure is vital to regional economic growth and I am delighted the Government is recognising the importance of investing in Essex by contributing this funding to help make these essential upgrades a reality.

“This funding comes just a week after Essex County Council was named as Transport Local Authority of the Year in the National Transport Awards. It is great to see our hard work behind the scenes and with partners to build a strong case for improvements to key routes across Essex is being recognised and is resulting in clear benefits for our residents, businesses and visitors to the county.

“This funding will change the lives of thousands of people not only in Essex, but across the country.”

Lynette Bowers-Flint, cabinet member for planning and housing at Braintree District Council, said: “We’re delighted that the Department for Transport is supporting the Millennium Slip roads project with almost £5 million of funding. The close partnership between us, Highways England and Essex County Council has been critical in this successful funding bid and will continue throughout the scheme design and construction.

“The project will address capacity issues affecting the road network around Braintree now and in the future and provide much needed congestion relief and free up capacity at Galleys Corner.”