Essex Road Schemes Lose Government Backing as A127 Joins Cancelled A12 Improvements

Major road improvement plans affecting Essex have suffered another setback after the Government removed the A127 Corridor for Growth scheme from its national roads programme, adding to concerns over previously cancelled improvements to the A12 and A120.

The Department for Transport confirmed on 23 October 2026 that 25 schemes had been withdrawn or removed from its Major Road Network and Large Local Majors programme following a review of 41 projects.

Only 16 schemes will progress through the programme, subject to the necessary business case approvals.

Among those removed is the A127 Corridor for Growth – Route Improvements project, which had been promoted by Essex County Council.

Although the A127 scheme is located in south Essex rather than Chelmsford itself, its removal adds to wider concerns about transport investment across the county, particularly following the cancellation of the A12 widening scheme between Chelmsford and the A120 in 2025.

A127 Improvement Scheme Removed from Government Programme

The A127 Corridor for Growth project proposed a package of road, public transport, walking and cycling improvements along the route between M25 Junction 29 and Noak Bridge.

It was intended to improve transport connections along one of south Essex's important road corridors.

The Department for Transport has now confirmed that the project will no longer progress through the existing Major Road Network programme.

The decision was communicated to Essex County Council on 8 October, before appearing in the Government's updated programme list on 23 October.

In a parliamentary answer on 19 October, Transport Minister Justin Madders explained that the A127 scheme was still at an early stage of development.

He said the Department did not have completed modelling showing the expected journey-time savings or road safety benefits of the proposed improvements.

The minister also confirmed that it is now for Essex County Council to determine whether and how to take forward the project or other improvements to the A127.

The decision does not mean that every road improvement along the A127 has been cancelled. It specifically concerns the Corridor for Growth scheme's place in the national funding programme.

A12 Chelmsford Widening Scheme Was Already Cancelled

For motorists in Chelmsford, the latest announcement comes after a much more directly relevant project lost government backing last year.

The planned widening of the A12 between Junction 19 at Boreham and Junction 25 near Marks Tey was cancelled in July 2025.

The scheme would have widened approximately 15 miles of the A12 from two lanes to three lanes in each direction.

It also included new bypasses at Rivenhall End and north of Kelvedon, together with junction improvements intended to improve safety and journey reliability.

The project had received development consent in January 2024, but the Government subsequently withdrew its funding.

National Highways has confirmed that the original scheme will not proceed.

The cancellation was criticised by councils across Essex, which argued that the improvements were important for future housing, business development and regional transport connections.

Boreham Interchange Remains a Major Concern for Chelmsford

One of the most significant local issues is the future of Junction 19 of the A12, commonly known as the Boreham Interchange.

Chelmsford City Council's Infrastructure Delivery Plan, published in March 2026, identifies existing capacity problems at the junction.

The council's traffic modelling indicates that improvements originally included in the cancelled A12 scheme are needed to support planned development and address existing traffic pressures.

Importantly, the modelling found capacity problems even without additional traffic from future housing developments.

The council has therefore argued that improvements to the interchange should not depend entirely on funding associated with new development.

A government and National Highways task group has been examining whether smaller-scale improvements could be delivered instead of the original widening project.

The council's infrastructure plan anticipated further work on these options during autumn 2026.

However, the cancellation of the full A12 scheme means there is currently no confirmed replacement programme delivering all the originally proposed improvements.

What About the A120 Near Braintree?

The A120 is another important transport route for residents travelling between Braintree, the A12 and Stansted Airport.

Plans to improve the A120 corridor have been the subject of longstanding discussions involving Essex County Council, National Highways and local authorities.

Essex County Council has grouped the A120 with the A12 and A127 in its calls for renewed government infrastructure investment.

However, the A120 project is separate from the 25 schemes identified in the Department for Transport's latest October 2026 review.

Braintree District Council has also acknowledged that the loss of A12 funding has created uncertainty for development planning and transport improvements in the district.

The council continues to press for investment in both routes.

Are Any Chelmsford Road Improvements Still Going Ahead?

Despite the removal of several major projects from national programmes, other road improvements in the Chelmsford area are continuing.

Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package

The Army and Navy Sustainable Transport Package remains among the schemes backed through the Government's roads investment programme.

The project is intended to improve transport around one of Chelmsford's busiest junctions, including changes to park-and-ride facilities, bus priority and walking and cycling connections.

It is separate from the cancelled A12 widening project.

Chelmsford North East Bypass

Essex County Council is also progressing the Chelmsford North East Bypass, designed to improve connections around the expanding Chelmsford Garden Community.

The first section has been under construction, supported by previously secured infrastructure funding.

Beaulieu Access Package

In July 2026, Essex County Council approved a £38 million package of improvements involving the A12 and Beaulieu Park Station roundabout.

The package is intended to support the development of Chelmsford Garden Community and provide additional road capacity and safety improvements.

Most of the proposed funding is expected to come from Homes England, National Highways and developer contributions, with some elements still subject to approval.

These projects show that the latest funding decisions do not represent a blanket cancellation of all road investment in Chelmsford.

Essex County Council Calls for Renewed Investment

Essex County Council has already raised concerns about the cumulative impact of losing major road schemes.

In an open letter to the Chancellor published on 13 October, council leader Peter Harris called for renewed investment in the A12, A120 and A127 corridors.

The council said the loss of the schemes could affect efforts to support economic growth and infrastructure development across Essex.

The letter also raised wider concerns about pressure on local government finances.

The Government, meanwhile, has said its national roads review considered affordability, deliverability, value for money and alignment with priorities including economic growth and housing.

Ministers argue that projects must be affordable and supported by suitable business cases before receiving further investment.

What Happens Next for Chelmsford Motorists?

The immediate effect of the latest announcement is the removal of the A127 Corridor for Growth project from the national funding programme.

For Chelmsford, the larger unresolved issue remains the future of improvements to the A12, particularly Junction 19 at Boreham.

The Government has left open the possibility of smaller-scale interventions, but the details, funding and delivery dates of any replacement improvements have not yet been confirmed.

Meanwhile, separate schemes including the Army and Navy transport package and improvements supporting Chelmsford Garden Community remain in development or delivery.

The decisions will continue to be relevant as Chelmsford prepares for further housing growth and examines its future development plans.

Chelmsford City Hub will monitor any announcements about replacement A12 improvements, the future of the A127 scheme and progress on the road projects still planned for the Chelmsford area.

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