The Government is to contribute nearly £9million towards the cost of two schemes on the A120 in Essex.

Dunmow Broadcast: Queuing on the access to Braintree Freeport. Picture: PAGEPIXQueuing on the access to Braintree Freeport. Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738 (supplied for use on a120 articles by Haven Gateway Partnership))

The Department for Transport (DfT) is to fund improvements to the junction of the A120 and M11 near Stansted Airport, and to a junction on the A120 at Braintree.

It is hoped the schemes will help traffic heading to and from Stansted Airport from the east and the west and ease two serious bottlenecks.

£4.09m has been promised by the DfT towards a £10m project to upgrade Junction 8 on the M11. It has been identified as a pinch point for commuters and holidaymakers using the M11, A120 and nearby Stansted Airport.

The scheme is being part-funded by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) and the Greater Cambridgeshire and Peterborough LEP as well as Stansted Airport.

£4.95m has also been pledged towards new slip roads linking the A120 to Millennium Way giving much-needed relief to the pinch-point at Galleys Corner, which sees long queues at rush hour.

The scheme will provide better access to Freeport Shopping Village, and take pressure off through-traffic travelling along the A120 on towards east Essex.

Given the scheme’s importance to accommodating growth it is being part funded by Braintree District Council, Highways England and Essex County Council.

Kevin Bentley, deputy leader for Essex County Council, said: “This funding will give a huge boost to regional economic growth along what are key routes for so many people who travel in and around Essex.

“Investment in roads infrastructure is vital to regional economic growth and I am delighted the Government is recognising the importance of investing in Essex by contributing this funding to help make these essential upgrades a reality.

“It is great to see our hard work behind the scenes and with partners to build a strong case for improvements to key routes across Essex is being recognised and is resulting in clear benefits for our residents, businesses and visitors to the county.

“This funding will change the lives of thousands of people not only in Essex, but across the country.”

Christian Brodie, SELEP chairman, said: “SELEP warmly welcomes the £18m of investment in schemes across Essex, Southend and Kent. These schemes, endorsed and championed by SELEP, will support local economic growth by reducing congestion and improving business efficiency.”

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the Government was taking big decisions for Britain’s future and investing a record £23billion on roads to increase capacity and improve journeys, cutting congestion and improving safety.