Fairglen junction delays 'making everyone’s lives a misery'

There has been no progress on the long awaited revamp of the Fairglen junction – where the A127, A13 and A130 meet in Wickford, sparking anger from councillors across Basildon and Rochford.

The improvement works are supposed to be completed by next year creating a one-way link road allowing drivers to skip miles of the A130 and join the A127 before travelling to Southend without using the Rayleigh Spur Roundabout.

James Newport, former Lib Dem leader of Rochford Council, said urgency from Essex County Council on the matter was “absent”.

He added: “Residents in Rayleigh and the wider Rochford District have faced decades of under-investment in strategic road infrastructure. The Fairglen Interchange stands as a clear example.

“Even promised funding has slipped. Works remain delayed. £15 million of government funding was confirmed last year. A contractor sits in place. Yet there is still no confirmed start date or completion date. This delay fuels frustration.”

Plans were finally set to move forward after Essex County Council agreed to appoint a contractor last October. It comes as tens of thousands of new homes are being planned across south Essex, due to updated Government housing targets which locals fear will only make the roads worse.

Kerry Smith, Basildon Independent councillor also slammed the county council over the delays. The former deputy leader of Basildon Council said: “I think because the county council wont exist in just over two years, they are just kicking the can well down the road for the new authority.

“It’s making everyone’s lives a misery and it’s costing the economy with lost time with vehicles stuck in traffic.”

Mr Smith referred to the restructuring of local councils, which will see all councils scrapped and replaced with larger authorities which offer a wider range of services.

Mark Platt, councillor for highways, infrastructure and sustainable transport at Essex County Council, said: “The Fairglen Interchange upgrade is a strategically important project. Since funding was announced last year we have been working hard to get the scheme under construction.

“This has included engaging with local landowners to secure land for construction and getting a contractor in place.

“However, as part of the work and discussions we’ve been having with CountyRoute, which manages the nearby A130 on the council’s behalf, it’s becoming increasingly clear they will also need to deliver significant essential maintenance to the A130 before it is handed back to the council in 2030.

“There are options we’re considering to best manage CountyRoute’s work and deliver Fairglen so the two projects do not cause major disruption to travellers using the road network in this part of the county. A further update will be made when we are able to give one.”