Four route options for the dualled A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey remain on the table with investigations set to continue until the spring.

Essex County Council was expected to make a decision on its preferred route this autumn, but instead at a cabinet meeting on Thursday councillors agreed to continue looking into four out of the five options.

Route A, the road which followed the current line of the A120 closest, was the last choice of 60 per cent of consultees and has now been discounted.

Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of Essex County Council, has been given responsibility of making the final decision.

Mr Bentley said: “Some may have expected one single route to emerge at this stage, but the consultation and our work around it has been clear.

“Four routes offer standout cases and it is only right that we keep these on the table for further consideration for funding by the Government.

“We should be very proud of the work we have done so far to build a strong case for improvements to the A120 thanks to feedback from nearly 3,000 residents and businesses; but this is not the end of the line and we will continue technical studies into each of the four remaining route options.

“We have heard the public loud and clear – improvements to the A120 are long overdue.

“Now we need that voice to be directed to Government so we can secure the funding to make upgrades to the A120 a reality as soon as possible without delay.”

Technical studies will continue until spring to help inform the final decision.

Once this is confirmed, the case will be put forward for the road’s inclusion in the Government’s Road Investment Strategy 2, a pot of money set aside for investing in strategic roads across the country between 2020 and 2025. Chosen roads should be announced in 2019.

According to the council’s latest timeline construction work could begin in 2023, with the new road opening to drivers in 2026.

Mr Bentley said: “We are currently on track to deliver a vital upgrade to the A120.

“An improved A120 would create a gateway to north Essex and beyond – allowing our local businesses, ports and airports to continue to grow by moving staff and freight quickly and efficiently across the country.

“This would support economic growth not only in East Anglia but also across the rest of Britain.

“It would also reduce congestion and give more reliable journey times for our residents and businesses.

“Without heavy investment now we risk choking the supply chain to large and small businesses across the country, killing our economy and clogging up our road network for decades to come.” Visit www.A120essex.co.uk.