BYPASSES between Rivenhall and Marks Tey have been favoured as the best option to improve the A12.

Highways engineers Ringway Jacobs has given updates on proposals to widen the A12 and upgrade the A120.

Option two, widening the A12 corridor between junctions 19 and 24 and building two new bypasses, is seen as the favourable option.

The report said: “Option two is likely to provide the best volume/ capacity ratios at junctions along the A12. It should be acknowledged though that these options will be further consulted on and subject to further change.”

There are four options in total be- ing consulted on for the A12 widening scheme.

The report included a response from Essex County Council.

It said: “The county council fully supports the widening of the A12 and also has a preference that all links passing under or over grade separated junctions should also be dual three lane carriageways.”

Highways England said the proposals were to create a safer A12 by relieving congestion.

An announcement of the preferred route will be made in the summer and residents will have a chance to give feedback on a preliminary design in 2019, with work starting in 2020.

Braintree Council also shared its opinions on each of the schemes un- der consideration.

The council warned Option A of the A120 proposals would have a significant impact on villages in the Braintree area.

It said in a report: “While all options will have varying impacts on communities, Option A will have a significant effect on the larger villages of Stisted, as well as having the potential to bring more noise, pollution and visual impacts to Coggeshall.”

Option A starts west of Galleys Corner and bypasses Bradwell to the north.

East of Coggeshall, it leaves the A120, heading south east where it joins the A12 at a new junction between Kelvedon and Marks Tey.

There are five options being looked at for the upgrading of the A120, and Essex County Council said the proposals would stop regular bottle- necks getting worse.

The A120 consultation has closed and responses will be compiled into a consultation report.

Essex County Council will then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State.