RESIDENTS have been told to focus on the “light at the end of the tunnel” during the long and expensive process of dualling the A120.

Five possible options were announced for the dual carriageway between Marks Tey and Braintree on Tuesday and an eight week consultation run by Essex County Council opened.

The routes have been whittled down from 68 initial options and only one follows the current route through Bradwell.

Rodney Bass, chairman of the A120 Board, said: “Upgrades to this road are long overdue and we are keen to get views from residents and businesses on how best to do this.

“We have spent almost a year working up route options for the public consultation and it is vital that residents and businesses from across Essex and East Anglia engage in this consultation to help create a modern road that is fit for purpose.”

The scheme could cost anywhere between £475million and £800million depending on the chosen option, however the council estimate that it could contribute around £1.1billion in value to the regional economy.

Funding would be achieved by the road's inclusion in the government's road investment strategy for 2020 to 2025, with developers being asked to contribute only after the route has been chosen.

The council estimate that the scheme could shave up to 49 percent off average journey times for commuters depending on the option chosen and the time of day.

Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council cabinet member responsible for economic growth & partnerships called the development of the road a "once in a lifetime opportunity" for the county and hopes the road would be complete within 10 years.

He said: "Whilst people will inevitably have concerns, it is important to see the bigger picture.

“There is no point sitting back and just thinking how bad the road is now.

"My view is that if people can see the light at the end of the tunnel people are more tolerant of the situation."

Witham MP Priti Patel welcome the start of the consultation and said the road is no longer fit for purpose.

She said: “Regular users of the road will know that it suffers from severe delays and is one of the most dangerous roads in England.

“The road needs to be dualled and the route options being looked at could solve the congestion problems and unlock new jobs and growth in our economy.

“The upgrading of the A120 will transform our economy and I would encourage all residents, road users and businesses interested in the route options and the future of the A120 to get involved in the consultation.”

A decision on the preferred option will be made by autumn this year and the council will begin putting together its case for inclusion in the road investment strategy.

11 consultations events are being held during the consultation process and the council want to hear from residents whether they have a preferred option or not.

Visit: www.a120essex.co.uk.