The Transport Secretary's decision to scrap the A12 Widening Scheme has betrayed Essex, and Heidi Alexander has serious questions to answer

July 9th, 2025

Priti Patel MP, Conservative Party Shadow Foreign Secretary, has written to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to express her disappointment at the decision to scrap the A12 Widening Scheme in Essex .

Ms Patel's letter to Heidi Alexander in full:

THE RT. HON. PRITI PATEL MP WITHAM

The Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP Secretary of State for Transport Department for Transport Great Minster House

33 Horseferry Road

London

SW1P 4DR

URGENT

Our Ref: ZA87855

Dear Heidi,

HOUSE OF COMMONS LONDON SWIADAA

Tel: 020 7219 3528

E-mail: withamp@parliament.uk www.pritipatelmp.com

8 July 2025

A12 Widening Scheme

Your decision announced today to scrap the A12 Widening Scheme is deeply disappointing and has caused anger and frustration in Essex. As you will know from my correspondence and Parliamentary Questions on this issue, the scheme is oven-ready with funding committed by the last Government. It was only delayed due to a last minute legal challenge that was dismissed by the courts.

Since Labour came into Government last July, I have been making representations to you, your predecessor, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and your ministers about the importance of this scheme. The A12 Widening Scheme will unlock billions of pounds of economic growth in Essex and beyond, including supporting the delivery of thousands of new homes, the creation of new jobs and new business investment. The growth plans of Essex and the East of England have been contingent on this scheme progressing and it has had widespread support from MPs, local authorities and businesses. Moreover, the scheme is also important to improve road safety and ease congestion, and would enable the A120 Dualling Scheme to take place and other road improvement opportunities.

Given all of these benefits, it is unclear as to why you have decided to cancel the scheme, especially as it was one of only two strategic road network schemes to be cancelled. Can you therefore explain:

  • What methodology was used to rank and score and determine which road schemes were to progress and what schemes would be cancelled? And will you share with me that information?
  • In your statement in the House of Commons today, you commented on making a choice between the A12 Widening Scheme and the A66 scheme because of their costs and decided to take forward the A66 scheme and not the A12 Widening Scheme. Can you explain this decision as the A12 Widening Scheme's costs are estimated to be lower than the A66 and the benefit cost ratio for the A12 Widening Scheme, as reported by the DFT, is higher than the A66 scheme?
  • What were the reasons for cancelling the A12 Widening Scheme?
  • What role did the Capital Review play in considering the A12 Widening Scheme; and what analysis of the scheme did they consider?
  • What estimate have you made of the economic impact on the region of cancelling the A12 Widening Scheme including the impact on business investment, job creation and housing growth?
  • Will you discuss with the Deputy Prime Minister the impact that the cancellation of the A12 Widening Scheme will have on the delivery of housing targets in this part of Essex?
  • What assessment have you made of the impact on road safety and congestion of cancelling the scheme compared to it being completed?
  • How much total costs have been incurred on developing the A12 Widening Scheme since the Government committed committed to commence work on it in 2014?
  • Can you outline what your approach is now for the A120 Dualling Scheme?

Not only is this decision deeply regrettable and harmful to the economic interests of Essex, it is also disappointing to see you bury it in a wider announcement on transport projects.

The A12 Widening Scheme would have transformed transport infrastructure in Essex and unlocked significant levels of economic growth. By cancelling the scheme, Labour is not only neglecting and betraying Essex, but also not serious about promoting economic growth.

I look forward to your reply and expect substantive answers to my questions rather than your Government's usual excuses.

Yours ever,

Rt Hon Priti Patel MP

Member of Parliament for Witham

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