Major safety boost for Essex A-road
A key route across north Essex will benefit from a new scheme which aims make the road safer for road users and those living nearby.
Work started today (Monday 31 March) on improvements to the A120, designed to cut road traffic collisions as National Highways works to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the strategic road network.
The safety scheme features the installation of five new average speed safety cameras and associated signage along a section of the A120 between Marks Farm, Braintree and Marks Tey near Colchester.
As part of the improvements the current 60mph speed limit on the Coggeshall bypass west towards Bradwell and eastwards to Marks Tey will be permanently reduced to 50mph. Additionally, the 40mph speed limit through Bradwell will be extended 635m to the east.
Work on the £2.6m project is expected to be completed during summer 2025.
Martin Fellows, National Highways Regional Director for the East region, said: “Safety is, and will always be, our number one priority, and we understand how important improved safety is to those who use this route as well as those who live nearby.
“Our work has identified sections of the A120 where we believe safety improvements can be made. These changes to the speed limit aim to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions which helps keep traffic flowing and creates safer roads for everyone.”
To minimise disruption to road users the works will be carried out on weekday nights, usually between 9pm - 6am, weather permitting. During the works drivers should allow additional time to complete their journeys.
Closures and diversions
From Monday 31 March closures will be in place, weeknights from 9pm until 6 am between Marks Farm Farm Roundabout to Marks Tey. Road users approaching our work are advised to use the signposted diversions. Full details of overnight closures as the scheme progresses into summer 2025 will be published once works have been finalised. Residential access will be maintained during the closures, please check the dedicated East region safety scheme page of our website for details and updates on future overnight closures.
• Diversion details
Eastbound: Exit at Panners Roundabout / Great Notley Roundabout onto the A131 and travel to junction 19 of the A12. Continue on the A12 before rejoining the A120 at junction 25, Marks Tey.
Westbound: Continue on A12 to junction 19, join the A131 and rejoin the A120 at Great Notley Roundabout.
To carry out the work safely all laybys between Marks Farm Roundabout and Marks Tey will be closed for the duration the works.
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiriesOption 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)
