PRIME Minister David Cameron has promised a Conservative government will pay towards a study to dual the A120 between Marks Tey and Braintree.

Essex County Council has already set aside £5million to fund a feasibility study.

On Friday, Mr Cameron announced his government would pay the remaining £4million.

However, he stopped short of promising the dualling plans, which will cost £500million, would definitely be included in the Road Investment Strategy, due to be published in 2020.

Mr Cameron was talking during a visit to Flaktwoods, in Axial Way, Colchester.

In an exclusive interview with the Gazette, Mr Cameron said: “This area needs infrastructure investment.

“The East of England is an engine, but it needs to have good infrastructure and good links.

“If there is a Conservative government, we will match-fund this study into the A120 and it could be included in the next Road Investment Strategy.”

Halstead Gazette:

Mr Cameron also said infrastructure should grow in line with population growth, especially in Colchester.

The Prime Minister also said if people can travel to the East of England more quickly, the rise in business being carried out in the region would equal an “extra £2,000 for every man, woman and child” by 2030.

He said: “What that means is we will not be relying so much on London.”

The Haven Gateway Partnership, which has campaigned for the A120 to be dualled, has pointed to an extra £1.3million in growth and journey times would be cut by more than half if the project were to go ahead.

George Kieffer, chairman of the group, said dualling the A120 between Stansted and Harwich could mean a £1.3billion boost for the Essex economy.

He said: “This is a momentous day for those who have toiled on the A120 for so long, and for those in the region who want to see the best transport infrastructure for our region.

“The business and economic case for improving the A120 is overwhelmingly strong.

“We look forward to continuing discussions with the Department for Transport and Highways England in the very near future.”

If the feasibility study goes ahead, Mr Kieffer estimates the dualling would not be completed for another eight years.

He said: “The consultation alone would take at least 18 months to two years.

“The process would involve deciding on the right route and would have to take into account the widening of the A12.

“Our business members are very keen to see this happen because a lot of their workforce will travel along the A120.”

He said giving better access to Tiptree, home to major employer Wilkin and Sons, would also be on the agenda.

About 150 business leaders and representatives from local councils have been lobbying the Government to back the dualling since 2013.

'Norwich in 90 in a priority'

CONNECTING the East of England with London by running faster trains is a “real priority”

for a Conservative Government.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the new franchisee running East Anglia’s rail services would have to run trains from Norwich to London in 90 minutes, cutting the Colchester to London journey time to 40 minutes.

Mr Cameron said his plans are a direct challenge to Labour leader Ed Milliband, who he said would prefer a state-run bidder to take charge of the line.

The Prime Minister said: “The Norwich in 90 campaign is a real priority for us.”

He said if improvements are not made, there would be a “traffic jam unlike anything the A12 has ever seen”.

The Great Eastern Mainline Taskforce says an investment of £476million is needed, but Mr Cameron would not guarantee the investment.