Industry News
RHA welcomes inquiry findings on Britain's worst road
5th August 2008
The Road Haulage Association has welcomed the findings of an independent inquiry into improvements to the major trunk road between London and the East Coast the A12. Currently classified as ‘of regional importance’, it carries the dubious reputation of being dubbed Britain’s worst road.
The report makes 28 recommendations intended to improve the A12's day to day performance in the medium term and to speed up recovery from accidents and incidents. These include measures to reduce driver stress, a trial ban on HGV overtaking, selective speed limits and better information for drivers
The inquiry recommends that the A12 as far as Ipswich should be brought up to modern dual 2-lane standards with urgent priority given to the Hatfield Peverel to Marks Tey section. This includes the replacement of substandard lay-bys. The inquiry also heard arguments for widening the route to three lanes throughout its length but was unable to back this recommendation.
The inquiry heard from 24 organisations and 36 witnesses over three days including DfTt and Highways Agency officials, MPs, local and regional agencies and authorities, the emergency services, business and motoring groups including the RHA.
RHA Manager of Infrastructure, Chrys Rampley said: “There is general agreement by all witnesses including the RHA that the A12 is a difficult road and is certain to get significantly worse in view of the development pressures in Essex from new housing, growing employment and substantial new port capacity in the Haven Gateway and Bathside Bay.
“We are encouraged that the Commission believes this vital link to the East Coast should not be managed ad hoc or improved in a piecemeal way but rather that there should be a proper route management strategy.
"However,” Chrys Rampley continued, "it is essential that any improvement plans should identify one or more locations where secure parking could be provided for between 100 and 200 HGVs. This is a poInt we particularly stressed at the inquiry and we are pleased to see that it has been included in the report’s list of recommendations."
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