MILLIONS of pounds have been set aside to make improvements to one of Halstead’s busiest roads.

Essex Highways has confirmed it will be spending £3.64 million on the A131 between Braintree and Sudbury before 2021.

The funding forms part of a massive £300 million budget which Essex County Council will spend on schools, roads, homes and the economy throughout the next year.

In total, £9.4 million will be spent on improving the entire A131 between 2018 and 2021.

Essex Highways will be looking to spend an estimated £5.8 million across the next two years on the stretch between Chelmsford and Braintree.

Work on the road between Braintree and Sudbury will then begin in 2019, with approximately £1.82 million being spent in both that year and the following year.

Halstead Mayor, Shirley Diver, said she was pleased the money had been set aside for improving the A131 as building work on hundreds of new homes continues.

She said: “It is always good when money gets handed out but it is what we were expecting to be honest.

“I want to see the money spent on improving the infrastructure as a whole. The town is getting bigger and bigger and seems to have been the poor relation, so improvements are certainly needed.”

Tracy Holdgate, chairman of Halstead Chamber of Commerce, added: “That route definitely needs improving but other than fixing potholes what else will the money be going towards?

“It is good news the money will be there, but will it be going towards improving the route or things like public transport. We need to find out more.”

Last year, Essex Highways invested £1.5 million starting work on the A131 between Chelmsford and Braintree.

The work will see a dedicated left turn slip road created at Sheepcotes Roundabout, and a longer bus lane from Pratts Farm roundabout to Nabbotts Roundabout in Chelmsford.

A spokesman for Essex County Council said the authority had yet to decide what improvements will be made to the A131 between Braintree and Sudbury.

The spokesman said: “We are in the early stages of development, options for the final scheme are still being considered to ensure value for money.

“However, the final package will aim to provide highways capacity, passenger transport and safety improvements along the Braintree to Sudbury corridor.”

Leader of Essex County Council David Finch said the budget was a “positive, practical and prioritised” set of plans.

“It takes a balanced and realistic budget view but at the same time, proposes record investment in key services and infrastructure,” he said.

“We have growing demand for essential services and meeting that demand with dwindling resources is a huge challenge.

“But we can face this challenge with confidence and strength – our track record for efficiency and innovation is second to none.”