POLITICAL opponents have banded together to make an urgent call for funding and support to dual the A120.

Both Neil Stock, leader of Conservative-led Tendring Council, and Labour group leader Ivan Henderson have backed Gazette sister paper the Harwich Standard’s campaign for the Government to spend cash now on the crumbling road.

Mr Henderson has put forward a motion requesting Essex County Council ensures Government funding in the Road Investment Strategy 2 – which runs from 2020-2025 – for the project.

Speaking at a council cabinet meeting, Mr Henderson said: “There’s a great urgency to get on with this.

“We are heading for a possible Government spending review next year and we know that other people will be lobbying very hard now to make sure they have got the funding they need for road projects.

“It has all come to a head in the past year – the situation is desperate.

“The Wix bypass was built during the 1970s using concrete base and is approaching the end of its anticipated life.

“All through this winter it has been horrific – at one time we had 13 cars on the side of the road with punctures and damaged wheels and at one time the road was closed to all traffic.”

The former MP had been upset his motion was not debated by the council last month, and was referred to the council’s cabinet for its recommendation first.

He added: “The other part of the A120 has been made the priority, but I’m asking the council to make the Harwich to Horsley Cross or Hare Green section the priority – we can’t wait any longer.

“My call is for Tendring Council to get out of the layby and get into the campaign with the Standard, Essex County Council and Bernard Jenkin.

“We can’t afford to have any further delays – we need to get these messages to the government department now.”

The motion places equal importance on the upgrading of the Braintree to Marks Tey section with the Tendring stretch of route, and asks why the preferred option for a dualled A120 from Braintree eastward connects so far to the south along the A12.

The motion has been amended by the cabinet and will go back to the full council on July 3.

Mr Stock said it was important there was unity behind the campaign to dual the A120 and pledged to work with councillors of all parties to firm up the motion and see the road upgraded.

“The A120 from Horsley Cross to Harwich has reached the end of its life and urgently needs an upgrade,” he said.

“This upgrade does not mean simply resurfacing or replacing the current road, but making it a dual carriageway along its entire length.

“To achieve this will require a combined effort of councils, stakeholders and government, and we must have support from all sides of the council chamber if we are to get this done.

“There are obstacles to overcome, but together we can solve these issues.”

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