Call for action on A12

Essex County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transportation has called on the Highways Agency to make a number of safety improvements on the A12.

County councillor Rodney Bass has made the plea following a series of accidents at Hatfield Peverel.

Bass has put forward a number of recommendations including:

1) Arrow markings to assist drivers to maintain appropriate distance from the vehicle in front

2) A ban on HGVs overtaking between 6am and 8pm

3) The restoration of A12 police patrols with an offer by Essex County Council to part-finance them

4) Signage on both sides of the Witham Bypass saying ‘slow down’, ‘maintain distance’, ‘keep alert’.

Councillor Bass said: “Safety is of the utmost importance for our residents and I would like to see the Highways Agency and the government take these actions as soon as possible.”

A Highways Agency spokesperson said: “We’re committed to keeping the roads safe and reliable.

“Just recently we announced the A12 Kelvedon resurfacing scheme which is part of our routine road renewals and maintenance programme. It was identified in 2013 for action in 2014/15. The scheme covers about 3,000 square metres of surfacing, with an estimated scheme cost of £500,000.

“Other works on the A12 which are included in our programme before the end of the financial year are the Colchester bypass resurfacing, Braiswick slope failure repairs, Crown slope failure repairs, Margeretting bypass resurfacing and two pinch point schemes - Kevledon and Hughes Corner average speed camera.”

The spokesperson added that the Highways Agency will look into the possibility of temporary signs on both sides of the Witham Bypass.