Petition launched to turn part of A12 into a country park
There are fears for wildlife should the road be widened.
Last updated 16th Nov 2021
A petition has been launched to turn a section of the A12 set to be bypassed with six-lanes of new road into a country park.
Rosie Pearson, a planning campaigner, believes more has to be done to mitigate the damage to wildlife by the plans to widen the A12.
The section of the A12 between junction 19 at the Boreham Interchange in Chelmsford to junction 25 at Marks Tey Interchange carries up to 90,000 vehicles every day, and which is dogged by frequent congestion.
The proposal from National Highways would widen the A12 between junctions 19 and 25 to three lanes in each direction – but at one section a new three lane bypass is being planned in each each direction at Rivenhall End.
Once finished it would leave the original four-lane A12 on one side and a six-lane new bypass on the other about 65 metres away.
A two-lane road connecting the original A12 and Easthorpe Road further to the east is also being proposed.
Mrs Pearson argues that rewilding the four-lane section of the A12 will mitigate for loss of countryside and habitat when the new six lane road is built.
The petition from Mrs Pearson, Chair and Co-Founder of the Community Planning Alliance said: “Six new lanes of the A12 are going to be built between Marks Tey and Kelvedon. Let’s take this opportunity to do something amazing with the current section of A12.
“Let’s make it into country park, with access for cycling, pedestrians and horse riders. Let’s plant trees, wild-flower meadows and hedgerows, and bring nature back.
“Rewilding the A12 will bring some small compensation for loss of countryside and habitat when the new six lane road is built, Tree & hedge-planting will help to absorb some of the air pollution from the new road. The new 4km-long park will be easily accessed from nearby towns.
“It will be safe for children to play, cyclists to ride, dog walkers to take their dogs and horse riders to exercise. And, importantly, wildlife will be able to flourish.”
The idea is being supported by Nicola and Michaela Longo who have previously complained at the “injustice” of being told their house will not be blighted by the six lane carriageway set to be built just 65 metres away from their home.
Highways England, which are behind the plans to improve the A12 , say the Longos are ineligible for a compulsory purchase order (CPO) because their property sits outside the boundary of the land affected.
They say the new proposals would go some way to improving their own gloomy outlook after fearing their home will be blighted by the development.
Nicola said: “That would be a fantastic idea.
“The plans for a six lane bypass at the back of the house is going to be huge distraction.
“But creating a bit of countryside would off set it a little bit.
“Why are we building more roads when we shod be thinking about the climate.
“Really is that the way forward?
“That is why I think the idea of a country park is such a good idea.
“Also it would be quite a good community project. It will be really good to have this on the A12.
“It would be really good to do something with the existing road because what are they going to do otherwise?
“Are they going to just leave it.”
The statutory consultation for the scheme finished in June. Highways England intends to submit its application for development consent as last as summer 2022.
And subject to development approval, construction is expected to start in 2023/2024.
National Highways senior project manager, Kampandila Kaluba said: “Under current proposals, the existing A12 will be detrunked and transferred to Essex County Council once the scheme is complete.
“As our consultation is currently running, I advise anyone who has any comments or suggestions to officially submit these as part of the consultation response.”