The A120 campaign hosted its Westminster Parliamentary Reception with more than 120 businesses.

The reception was co-hosted with seven of the region’s MPs and marked the announcement of route D as the favoured route.

In addition to a welcome by Will Quince MP, the reception on Tuesday featured speeches by deputy leader of Essex County Council Kevin Bentley, chairman of the Haven Gateway Partnership George Kieffer, Priti Patel MP and James Cleverly MP.

Mr Kieffer said: “Last night’s reception proved yet again that our MPs, local authority leaders and businesses speak with one voice.

"We have well and truly rallied behind route D and that will be heard loud and clear at DfT.

"Our supporters now include not just MPs in north Essex and south Suffolk but across East Anglia and London. "This is route of national significance and our growing support is testament to that.”

The event also follows a Westminster Hall debate in June, where MPs made their case to Department for Transport ministers.

During her speech, MP Priti Patel described the A120 as no longer fit for purpose between Braintree and Marks Tey.

She said: "Dualling the road as it runs through the Witham constituency is essential to improve road safety and to support economic growth across the region.

"Have been campaigning and working with communities, councils and businesses to get this scheme progressed.

"We all need to pull together now and focus on presenting a strong and robust case to the government to secure the investment needed to get this road upgraded.”