Colchester City Council has reiterated its strong opposition to the government’s decision to cancel the A12 widening scheme – warning it threatens to stall housing delivery, increase congestion, and undermine regional growth.
The A12 upgrade was seen as critical to easing existing pressure on the road network, improving safety, and supporting planned economic and housing development across north Essex. With Colchester continuing to grow, the A12 is already under strain. Without this long-promised investment, traffic levels, journey times and pressure on local roads are all expected to worsen.
Colchester City Council Leader, Cllr David King, said: “The government's A12 announcement is extraordinary. It undermines their own ambitions for housing and economic growth – both of which are vital, and both of which rely on the infrastructure to support them.
“Promises must be kept. Investment must be delivered.
“This is a call to arms: to councils, businesses and residents across Essex to join us in pushing for a rethink.
“We already face an uphill challenge in persuading our communities to support more homes and further development. This decision makes that case much harder to argue, even though we know the long-term benefits it can bring.
“I urge ministers to talk with us and other Essex councils, not abandon years of work, and to keep the A12 on the table.”
Page last reviewed: 10 July 2025