Under the 15-mile upgrade plan, the A12 between and Colchester – junctions 19 (Boreham Interchange) to 25 (Marks Tey Interchange) – will be widened to three lanes in each direction.

Two major bypasses will also be constructed; one at Rivenhall End and a second between Kelvedon North to the Marks Tey Interchange (junctions 24-25).

To enable traffic to flow on and off the road more freely a number of junctions will be subject to upgrades.

If the application is approved in the six-month development consent process, work on upgrading the A12 will start in 2023-24.

Following that decision on the 12 September a period of Relevant Representation commenced prior to the Planning Inspectorate starting the full 6-month examination period.

This section of the A12 carries a very high volume of traffic with up to 90,000 vehicles using it every day.

The connection to the major ports at Harwich and Felixstowe also means heavy goods vehicles account for a higher proportion of traffic than on most major roads.

Freight makes up between 9% – 12% of all traffic on this part of the A12 – almost double the national average of 5%.

Motorists could save 1.5 hours per week on their commute

Phil Davie, National Highways Project Director for the A12 Chelmsford to A120 scheme, said: “The scale of the work we aim to undertake will transform one of the busiest road links in the east of England, helping to save road users who live, work and travel in and around Essex a significant amount of time across their weekly commute.

“This part of the country is growing rapidly, and our plans will help to futureproof the area in terms of additional housing and supporting continued economic growth.”