PLANS for improvements to the A127/A130 Fairglen Interchange have been backed by Basildon council.

Essex County Council and Essex Highways have identified options for short and long term schemes to safeguard and provide capacity to this junction, which is operating very near to its capacity, until 2045.

Basildon Council is urging residents to view the proposals at events this month. The first will be held at the Holiday Inn, Waterfront Walk, on the Festival Leisure Park on Wednesday, February 15, from 1pm to 8pm.

The second will be on Thursday, February 16 from 1pm to 8pm at The King John School in Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley.

Councillor Dr Richard Moore, Basildon Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Planning, said: “These improvements will increase the flow of traffic and be of benefit to local business and our residents who will have a vastly improved commute.”

“I would like to encourage Basildon road users to attend the information event and offer their feedback so that ECC and Essex Highways know their opinions.”

Cllr Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Partnerships, added: “We know that the Fairglen Interchange is in need of both short-term and long-term improvement.

“Plans to relieve congestion at this notorious pinch point are vital to keep Essex moving and support economic growth in this key area.

“These two events in February will allow residents to see our plans and the benefits they can bring for all road users.

“I would urge those with an interest in this crucial junction to come along or check out the plans on our website when they go live in mid-February.”

Funding has been secured for the majority of the short-term scheme, which is programmed to be open by 2022.

Funding for the development of the long-term scheme will be sought through bids to Central Government as well as financial support from Essex County Council and development sites along the A127 corridor.

ECC is releasing plans of the layout options for both scheme options so that local communities and road users can start to understand the future traffic volumes at the Interchange and see the current proposals for resolving these issues.

The plans will be available on the website from Wednesday, February 15 to coincide with the public information events.

Further engagement events are being planned to provide more detail on the proposals as they are developed.

For more information email Fairglen.Interchange@jacobs.com