AS much as £30million of Thames Gateway cash is to be pumped into south Essex for a series of road improvements, the Government has revealed.
The Progress Road junction on the A127 in Leigh is set for a major overhaul as part of the project to ease congestion at peak times.
The money could even be used to remove the unpopular Fortune of War road junction, Laindon.
Mary Spence, chief executive of Thames Gateway South Essex, said between £25million to £30million was expected.
Some of the money would be used to improve Basildon's two junctions with the A127 at the A132, Wickford, and A129 Billericay turnoff.
Mrs Spence said: "The exact details are unclear as yet, but it involves looking at improving access on to the A127 at both these junctions. We don't yet know if this involves getting rid of the Fortune of War roundabout.
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"It will not mean a new road junction onto the A127, as was needed for the Gardiners Lane South development. That would cost £40million alone.
"The money is for shorter-term projects over the next three years which have been identified as immediate problems."
The cash will also be used to tackle traffic congestion near the roundabout at Victoria Plaza, in Southend.
Roscommon Way, Canvey, will also be extended to create a new access into Charfleets Industrial Estate.
Ian Jordan, Department for Transport head of regional transport policy, said the money was part of a £100million package for the whole of the region.
He said: "The money is for specific projects identified by partners working across the region based on evidence they have produced. It follows a consensus agreement."
However, fears were raised the Government is not committing enough cash to improve the Gateway's ailing transport system, while it focuses on ploughing money into building more homes and businesses which will add to the pressure on infrastructure.
Billericay Tory MP John Baron said: "We have £500million announced for new homes and businesses, yet only £100million for the region's roads. Unless we see drastic increases in the amount of funding for transport infrastructure, it will not change my view Thames Gateway is simply a Trojan horse for more housing."
CASH FOR PROGRESS ROAD
Southend Council chief executive and town clerk Rob Tinlin was delighted by the amount of money pledged to improve roads in the borough.
He said: "This is fabulous news.
"It reinforces what we have been saying about needing improvements on the A127 while we still campaign for an outer relief road for the town.
"Progress Road is only the beginning as we will be then looking at Kent Elms Corner and the Bell."
Mike Lambert, Renaissance Southend chief executive, said: "This essential road work is an important part of continuing the regeneration of the town."
Southend Council transport planning manager Paul Mathiesen said the plans for Progress Road would be designed to take more traffic and ease traffic flows.
He added: "It is part of the overall proposals to improve and update the junction and give better access to the industrial estate.
"There are plans by Renaissance Southend to improve the estate and update it as a business park and as well as an access to the town."
Mr Mathiesen said the work at Victoria Circus would make it more pedestrian friendly and complement the upgrading of the Victoria Shopping Centre.
He added: "At the moment, there is an unfriendly Sixties roundabout which is not fit for purpose.
"We will be looking in the coming works at working up a scheme which will make this more attractive, both to pedestrians and motorists and will make it into a key gateway to Southend.
"At the moment it is just not working properly."
CANVEY GETS TRANSPORT BOOST
Southend Council chief executive and town clerk Rob Tinlin was delighted by the amount of money pledged to improve roads in the borough.
He said: "This is fabulous news.
"It reinforces what we have been saying about needing improvements on the A127 while we still campaign for an outer relief road for the town.
"Progress Road is only the beginning as we will be then looking at Kent Elms Corner and the Bell."
Mike Lambert, Renaissance Southend chief executive, said: "This essential road work is an important part of continuing the regeneration of the town."
Southend Council transport planning manager Paul Mathiesen said the plans for Progress Road would be designed to take more traffic and ease traffic flows.
He added: "It is part of the overall proposals to improve and update the junction and give better access to the industrial estate.
"There are plans by Renaissance Southend to improve the estate and update it as a business park and as well as an access to the town."
Mr Mathiesen said the work at Victoria Circus would make it more pedestrian friendly and complement the upgrading of the Victoria Shopping Centre.
He added: "At the moment, there is an unfriendly Sixties roundabout which is not fit for purpose.
"We will be looking in the coming works at working up a scheme which will make this more attractive, both to pedestrians and motorists and will make it into a key gateway to Southend.
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