A MULTIMILLION pound junction overhaul could help south Essex meet its housing targets, a council believes.

The Echo revealed plans yesterday to transform the Fairglen Interchange - where the A130 and A127 meet - and ease congestion.

As part of the project, expected to cost around £175million, a relief road will be created between the two dual-carriageways by 2022.

A 30-year-plan includes proposals to add new lanes to the existing roundabout.

Land close to the junction, which separates Castle Point, Rochford and Basildon, had been identified as a possible development site.

Castle Point Council believes a 56 acre site north west of Thundersley, off the A127, could fit 2,000 homes.

Officers have said the land will remain untouched until 2031 pending a “comprehensive masterplan” for the future of the area - including an upgrade of Fairglen.

The authority recently submitted its Local Plan, dictating where just 2,000 homes could be built before 2031 - despite the borough being earmarked for 8,000 homes over the next 15 years.

The Thundersley site is not included.

Bill Sharp, Tory councillor for St James’ ward, has urged County Hall to help.

He said: “My understanding is that the both the short and long-term schemes are designed to contend with current and future traffic at the junction.

“Essex County Council has objected to our local plan, but with the Fairglen project coming forward I think they must be more accommodating and let us build the houses next to the A127.

“The site there could take up to 2,000 units, and would help us in terms of the number of houses we need to build.”

Further details about the Fairglen project will be revealed by Essex County Council at a series of public information events, taking place in late autumn.