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A12: Repairs and Maintenance

Asked by Priti PatelConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 6 January 2026UIN 98750

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the changes in costs for the A12 widening scheme following the decision taken by the Secretary of State to pause that scheme in July 2024.

Answered by Simon Lightwood

The A12 scheme was deferred by the previous Government, adding to the overall cost of the scheme as set out in the table below.

Date

Estimated outturn cost

Source

December 2014

Expected cost category £100m–£250m

Published list of RIS1 schemes and cost bands https://www.ciht.org.uk/media/4382/roads-investment-strategy-summary-of-schemes.pdf

March 2016

Funding envelope of £750 million

Published Options Appraisal Report: A12 Chelmsford to A120 Options Assessment Report OAR.pdf

September 2022

£1,045-1,268 million

Published Funding Statement for Development Consent Order: Microsoft Word - TR010020_APP_1.1 - Introduction to the Application

In July 2025, following the conclusion of the Spending Review, the Government took the difficult decision not to proceed with the A12 scheme, to provide certainty for the public.

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