SHOULD we have foreseen the shelving of the new route for the A120 from Braintree to the A12? Possibly so.

The plans for upgrading the A12 have never included a new junction for the A120 and that always seemed like a major omission.

Also, the A120 plans were progressively moved into later road improvement scheme budgeting plans.

It would seem the investigations and consultations that Essex County Council did in 2016-17, as agent for National Highways and at a cost of several million pounds, have all been wasted.

What is also a waste, I believe, is a new six-lane A12 through prime agricultural land south of the present road between Kelvedon and Marks Tey, when adding one lane in each direction would undoubtedly be a cheaper and quicker solution.

I did query that at the public consultations but answer came there none.

In the meantime, so far as the A120 is concerned, the economic benefits and opportunities from an upgrade will be lost, together with wasted fuel, time and cost to everyone using the road.

As a resident, I’m concerned that the dangers posed through using the A120 will continue.

Within 300 yards of where we live, there have been two serious accidents in the last six or seven years: one fatal, the other nearly so.

Whatever happened to joined-up government?

Noel Mead by email.