Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to progress the A12 Widening Scheme between Chelmsford and Marks Tey.

The Department for Transport and Highways England have been considering how best to take forward the A12 scheme, in the light of concerns raised by the Planning Inspector in June 2018 regarding the proposed Garden Community at Marks Tey and its interaction with the A12 scheme.

Highways England have been working closely with Essex County Council and the North Essex authorities to find the best approach to delivering the A12 scheme that takes account of wider growth in the region and achieves value for money. It is important that the Department find a way to take forward this important transport scheme while also supporting the Government’s objectives to improve the supply of housing where it is needed most.