Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions.
The Project Control Framework
On 1st April 2008 we launched the Project Control Framework. The Framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major improvement projects.
Traffic news on your desktop
Helpful ways to access the latest traffic information when you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Scheme involve?
When will it start and when will it be completed?
How much is the scheme worth?
Why has the scheme increased in worth?
Why have there been changes to the original design proposals?
Were any alternative improvements considered?
Why is the scheme happening?
Where is the scheme?
What benefits will there be from the scheme?
Who will benefit from the scheme and how?
What have you done to determine the effect the scheme will have on the local environment?
What is the purpose of the Environmental Statement?
What consultation was undertaken on the findings of the ES?
What was the attitude to the Scheme from comments received?
How does the scheme contribute to planning policies and what does the scheme mean for the local area?
What effect will the scheme have on land use?
Will any protected species need moving to enable the scheme to be built?
Will the scheme affect any features of archaeological or cultural heritage?
What effect will construction traffic have on traffic flow in the local area?
Will the improvement works be noisy?
Will the works create dust?
How will traffic be impacted during the works?
What diversion routes are being used?
Will access to amenities be affected during construction?
What will the effect of the scheme for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians?
Does the Scheme provide any new facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians?
Will any traveller amenities be lost from the construction?
What will the effect of the scheme on local air quality be?
Will the scheme result in an increase in noise for the local area?
Will there be any loss of habitat/vegetation as a result of the scheme?
Will there be any new planting as part of the scheme?
How would this scheme fit into the plans to widen the M25 between Junctions 27 and 30?
What plans are there to widen the A12?
What does the Scheme involve?
The scheme involves:
- widening of the slip roads on the approaches to the junction
- the provision of a new dedicated left-turn lane from the M25 clockwise exit slip road to the A12 entry slip road (towards Chelmsford and Ipswich)
- extension of the A12 merge lane towards Ipswich
- other minor works to improve safety
When will it start and when will it be completed?
Work started in May 2007 and will be completed in spring 2008.
How much is the scheme worth?
The scheme is worth approximately £12 million.
Why has the scheme increased in worth?
The increase in worth of the scheme is due to inflation and development of the project. Schemes are initially costed on estimates at the outset. On completion of detailed designs the cost to carry out the whole project has increased.
Why have there been changes to the original design proposals?
It is important to provide value for money and all Highways Agency schemes are subject to value engineering. The minor changes to the original design proposals will not affect performance of the traffic modelling
Were any alternative improvements considered?
A number of alternative improvements were considered prior to the decision to take forward this preferred scheme. The alternative options were considered against the following criteria:
- delivery of scheme objectives
- cost
- time to construct
- environmental impact and standards
The chosen scheme provided the best balance across all of the criteria.
Why is the scheme happening?
During morning and evening peak hours, over 7,000 vehicles travel through the junction each hour, causing major congestion. Traffic joining the A12 towards Ipswich has difficulty merging with traffic already travelling on it.
The scheme will reduce congestion and improve safety at the junction.
Where is the scheme?
The Scheme is at Junction 28 of the M25 where it crosses the A12. The A12 is the main route linking Ipswich and Chelmsford to London. The junction also connects to the A1023 Brook Street, which links traffic from the Brentwood area to both the A12 and the M25. Available: Scheme Location Plan
What benefits will there be from the scheme?
Benefits from the scheme will include:
- Additional and extended lanes to help reduce congestion
- Improved journey time reliability and safety through the junction
- Improved signage and enhanced highway layout
- A low noise road surface on newly constructed carriageways
- Improved access to the local area, supporting regeneration and economic prospects
- No changes to land use, no demolition of property and no loss of development land
- Coordination with the delivery of the M25 rapid widening
- Environmental improvements
- Provision made for future improvements
Who will benefit from the scheme and how?
Once construction is finished, the scheme would result in better driving conditions for drivers on the M25, A12 and A1023 (Brook Street), who use this junction.
What have you done to determine the effect the scheme will have on the local environment?
The potential environmental impact of this scheme has been thoroughly evaluated in an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The outcomes are documented in the Environmental Statement (ES) and the key findings summarised in the Non-Technical Summary (NTS).
What is the purpose of the Environmental Statement?
The Environmental Statement (ES) describes the proposed improvement works, their main effects on the environment and the measures developed to reduce any adverse environmental effects.
Its purpose is to ensure that all those consulted, including the public, understand the proposals and are given an opportunity to comment on them.
What consultation was undertaken on the findings of the ES?
A 12-week comment period started with publication of the ES (20th November 2006) and finished on Monday 12th February 2007. We received 56 comments on the Scheme.
What was the attitude to the Scheme from comments received?
Comments received were generally positive towards the Scheme.
How does the scheme contribute to planning policies and what does the scheme mean for the local area?
A detailed review shows that the scheme contributes to the objectives of planning policies at local, county, regional, national and international levels.
The proposed improvements comply with these policies by reducing congestion and improving safety. Improved access to the local area would enhance regeneration and economic prospects.
What effect will the scheme have on land use?
Land around the scheme is mostly used for agricultural, residential and commercial purposes as well as woodland and community amenities. It is not necessary to make changes to land use, nor does it result in the demolition of property or loss of development land.
Will any protected species need moving to enable the scheme to be built?
The species found to be present, within or near to the study area, were bats, badgers, water voles and reptiles. Reptiles will be trans-located (moved from old to new habitats) where existing habitats are affected by the works. We have scheduled our works around bird breeding/nesting patterns to ensure that nests are not disturbed by the improvements.
Will the scheme affect any features of archaeological or cultural heritage?
An assessment was carried out to determine how the scheme might affect features of archaeological or cultural heritage significance in the local area. From these findings it has been determined that no sites of national or local heritage importance would be affected.
What effect will construction traffic have on traffic flow in the local area?
Construction generated traffic will be relatively small and would be routed via major routes (M25 and the A12) rather than local routes, maintaining normal traffic flows as far as possible. Use of local roads will be restricted and only used to gain access to the site compound, which is close to Junction 28.
We would reuse excavated materials wherever possible to reduce the number of vehicle movements to and from the construction area.
Will the improvement works be noisy?
Inevitably, some nearby properties would experience noise during the construction works. To minimise noise disruption, we will:
- fit construction equipment with mufflers
- erect screening to shield noise where necessary
- maintain and use machines in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions
- liaise with local residents to advise them of the works
- liaise with local authority Environmental Health Departments
Will the works create dust?
During construction, dust from lorry and equipment movements and earthworks is inevitable. Properties within up to 100 metres of the scheme are most likely to be affected. To minimise this we will use speed control and water suppression (damping down).
How will traffic be impacted during the works?
What will this mean to drivers? During construction of the scheme, we are using a range of traffic management systems to reduce the effect of the road works on the area and to divert traffic and pedestrians away from the site of work, enhancing the safety of the travelling public and our workforce.
Traffic management includes:
- night time working (off peak and night time lane and slip road closures)
- narrow lanes
- speed restrictions
- cones and barriers
- some overnight slip road closures, including local diversions
What diversion routes are being used?
During overnight slip road closures the following diversion will be clearly signed to assist the road user in planning their journey: Junction 29 of the M25, travelling west to Gallows Corner on the A127 Southend Arterial Road, then on to the A12 to Junction 28 of the M25.
These diversions have been reviewed and agreed by neighbouring highways authorities. Available: map of diversion route
Will access to amenities be affected during construction?
Access to local amenities would be maintained throughout the work.
What will the effect of the scheme for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians?
We have identified and assessed routes used by pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians to access community facilities. There would be no significant change to these as a result of the scheme. Some existing pedestrian and cycle routes would be affected during construction, but safe diversions would be provided.
Does the Scheme provide any new facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians?
The Scheme does not include the provision for any new facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. However, we are in discussions with Transport for London (TfL) to see what can be incorporated into the scheme to facilitate these future improvements.
Will any traveller amenities be lost from the construction?
The widening of the A12 will result in the loss of a single lay-by for northbound traffic. However, there are lay-bys further north on the A12.
What will the effect of the scheme on local air quality be?
Implementation of the scheme would cause no overall worsening of air quality in the local area.
Will the scheme result in an increase in noise for the local area?
We have carried out a detailed assessment of traffic noise levels at all properties within 300m (0.2miles) of the scheme. It is predicted that there would be a barely perceptible increase in road traffic noise levels, whether or not the improvements are carried out.
In line with Highways Agency policy, a low noise road surface will be used on the altered sections of the road. The new road surface will provide a quieter journey for road users and reduce traffic noise for people living close to the road.
Will there be any loss of habitat/vegetation as a result of the scheme?
A minor loss of habitat is inevitable but new vegetation (a balance of ecological and landscape features) will be planted to replace wildlife habitats that may be affected. This will be managed in line with the Highways Agency Biodiversity Action Plan.
Will there be any new planting as part of the scheme?
There will be some new planting on the A12, providing improved screening for some properties close to the road.
How would this scheme fit into the plans to widen the M25 between Junctions 27 and 30?
The Junction 28 Improvements have been designed to complement the M25 widening scheme and will be completed in advance of the widening scheme.
What plans are there to widen the A12?
A Multi-Modal study was undertaken for which the Secretary of State accepted the need for widening the A12 to three lanes in each direction. The East of England Regional Assembly also supports widening proposals for the A12. This is set out in the draft Regional Transport Strategy, which forms part of the draft East of England Plan.
However, currently there are no plans for widening the A12 and no scheme development being undertaken. Funding for any scheme will be subject to regional funding priorities and current allocations show that there is no availability of funding until after 2015 at the earliest.
