A127 Economic Growth Corridor

What are the problems?

The A127 is one of the busiest non-trunk roads in the country and is no longer fit for purpose.
The road is close to capacity at peak times, resulting in regular congestion and delays.

Journeys on various sections of the road typically take over twice as long during peak periods, while trips westbound between the M25 and Gallows Corner are more than four times longer during the morning rush-hour.

On some sections, such as between the Nevendon and Noak Bridge junctions, traffic exceeds 85% capacity for four or five hours a day, resulting in unreliable journey times.

Delays on the A127 increase business costs, affect supply chains and harm productivity, costing millions of pounds a year.

Congestion exacerbates environmental problems such as poor air quality and has a negative impact on road safety.

The inadequacy of the A127 also isolates communities and threatens to limit future economic growth in South Essex, as well as having a detrimental knock-on effect on the national economy.

Without significant investment, these issues will hinder the growth and prosperity of South Essex and the wider region.

A127 Corridor Engagement Group

An A127 Corridor Engagement Group (previously called the A127 Task Force) consisting of local MPs, council leaders and officers and other key partners was first established in 2018 to develop a long-term vision for transport along the A127 corridor and lobby for investment.

The latest agreed vision for the A127 corridor is:

'A high-quality and reliable corridor which provides good access for all customers whether travelling along or across the A127 (including sustainable and active modes), connecting our communities, reducing severance and supporting our ambitious plans for innovation and sustainable low-carbon economic growth across South Essex.'

The A127 Corridor Engagement Group has agreed three intermediate objectives for the corridor:

• Supporting and facilitating sustainable housing and job growth
• Improving safety, including reducing severance
• Supporting a shift to active and sustainable modes of transport, in line with local, regional and national decarbonisation priorities

The objectives will help contribute to five wider outcomes:

• Reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality
• Decarbonising the transport system
• Improving people's health and wellbeing
• Enhancing the environment
• Supporting economic renewal and sustainble growth

The A127 Corridor Engagement Group has played an important role in highlighting the importance of the A127 in enabling economic growth across South Essex, as well as exploring current and future issues across the route and discussing dozens of potential longer-term improvement options.

However, it is clear the local highways authorities will never be able to fund schemes of the huge scale required. The group has therefore been making the case for the A127 to be re-adopted as a trunk road.

The minutes of previous A127 Corridor Engagement Group (A127 Task Force) meetings can be found in the documents section at the bottom of this page.