January 2024: Update
Further to my meeting in December last year with Ingatestone Parish Council, Essex County Councillor Lesley Wagland, and National Highways about the impact of the ongoing A12 roadworks on Ingatestone High Street, I raised the suggestion from Cllr Wagland and local businesses that temporary traffic lights should be put in place by Essex County Council. Unfortunately, the Leader of Essex County Council, Cllr Kevin Bentley reported back to me and Cllr Wagland that the Council's Highways team felt that after careful consideration and having taken advice from several teams, the risks involved meant they could not proceed with installing the lights.
Fortunately, National Highways was able work with Essex County Council to implement emergency legislation and introduce a temporary weight restriction on Roman Road/B1002 through Ingatestone while the slip road remains closed.
Simon Amore, from National Highways, said: "This, together with additional traffic management and signing informing drivers of the restriction, should significantly reduce the number large vehicles travelling along the B1002. In addition, we’ve also introduced For A12 follow diversion route signs at the entry slip road to guide A12 traffic on to the diversion route. Additional road markings have also been introduced on both lanes of the A12 to keep drivers on the A12 if they wish to continue southbound."
I appreciate how difficult it is for Ingatestone residents and businesses while the long-awaited and much needed A12 repairs take place, and hope the action take by National HIghways has made a difference to the traffic flow through Ingatestone.
I understand from National Highways they are working hard to complete their work and aim to reopen the junction 15 southbound entry slip road during the week beginning 22 January, weather permitting.
December 2023
After representations from Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council, local businesses and the Brentwood Business Improvement District about the impact of the A12 roadworks and diversions, and the current weekend rail replacement bus service being run by Greater Anglia, I have called on Essex County Council to consider installing temporary traffic lights to alleviate dangerous traffic congestion.
I have been working with Ingatestone councillor Lesley Wagland to do all within our power to stop the village getting snarled up with traffic.
Large lorries, buses and many cars which are diverted off the A12 are forming lengthy queues as they enter the village and meet the parking bays outside the shops. The narrower road does not allow two vehicles to pass and traffic backs up.
I understand the businesses do not want the parking bays suspended in the run up to Christmas. However, an improvement to the traffic flow was noted last week when temporary traffic lights were in place for utility works.
I have called on Essex County Council’s Leader, Cllr Kevin Bentley, to consider a trial of temporary lights, at least until 22nd December when this phase of the A12 roadworks is due to end. I would be happy for the Highways department to suggest alternative measures but the current situation is not acceptable and a solution is needed.
I held a meeting last week with representatives of Greater Anglia, National Highways, Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council, the Brentwood Business Improvement District and Cllr Lesley Wagland to discuss the impact of the traffic on businesses in the run up to Christmas.
National Highways is very aware of the problems of rat-running through Ingatestone and recognises the impact this has on the village and wider community. They have sought to encourage drivers to remain on the A12 or to use official diversion routes when the A12 is closed. An on-road signing strategy that informs drivers of road closures and diversion routes, utilising both electronic and ‘black on yellow’ signs placed at strategic points has also been put in place.
Greater Anglia has briefed its rail replacement bus management team to ensure all drivers are told not to park on the high street during any future weekend track works where a rail replacement bus service is in place.
I will continue to monitor concerns from local businesses and will update the Parish Council and Brentwood BID when I receive a response from Essex County Council's Highways team about the installation of temporary traffic lights while the A12 diversion works are in place.
