Agenda item

To report to Cabinet a motion submitted at the meeting of the Council held on 15 May 2018.

RESOLVED that Cabinet supports the spirit of Councillor I J Henderson’s motion but cannot support its wording in its original format and Cabinet therefore it is:-

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that Councillor I J Henderson’s motion be amended to read as follows:-

“(1) This Council recognises:

·      The national and international significance of the A120 strategic highway.

·      That the A120 connects Stansted Airport to the international ports at Harwich and is a key economic corridor essential to the economic success and vitality of much of the East of England.

·      That the A120 is one of the country’s only East-West highways.

·      That the A120 from Braintree to Marks Tey is wholly inadequate and should be upgraded to dual carriageway as soon as possible.

·      That the A120 from Hare Green to Harwich is wholly inadequate and should be upgraded to dual carriageway as soon as possible.

(2) This Council notes and welcomes Essex County Council’s support for the dualling of the A120 from Braintree to Marks Tey, but this Council –

·        Questions why no route option was even considered that would run north of the existing route.

·        Questions the logic of favouring a new route which connects to the A12 so far south, actually closer to Chelmsford than to Colchester, as such an option will lead to far more traffic on the A12 which is already beyond capacity and will lengthen considerably journey times on the A120.

(3) This Council welcomes and supports the announcement by Highways England Regional Director – Eastern Region, Martin Fellows that the A120 between Harwich and Horsley Cross is at last being proposed for upgrade and dualling and this Council will actively seek support as a matter of urgency from –

·        Our Members of Parliament;

·        Essex County Council, including those Members elected to represent Tendring; and

·        All key stakeholders in both the public and the private sector –

to help make the case that the upgrade, renewal and dualling of the A120 between Harwich and Hare Green is vital not just to the economic prosperity and well-being of the District of Tendring but that it will also positively impact a much wider area.

(4) This Council specifically requests that Essex County Council ensures that the necessary Government funding is secured through the RIS2 (Road Investment Strategy 2) 2020/25 and the A120 is made fit for purpose and upgraded to dual-carriageway status as soon as possible.”

It was further RESOLVED that the Leader of the Council works with Councillor I J Henderson to review the final wording of the proposed amended motion, prior to the full Council meeting on 3 July 2018, in order to make it as effective as possible.

Cabinet was aware that, at the meeting of the Council held on 15 May 2018, the following motion had been moved by Councillor I J Henderson, seconded by Councillor Calver and, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.4, had stood referred to the Cabinet for consideration and report:

“Following confirmation in writing from Martin Fellows, Regional Director Operations East Highways England, that the Wix By-pass is approaching the end of its anticipated life and that the long term aim is to renew this section of road, Tendring District Council writes to Essex County Council to advise ECC that it fully supports calls for the renewal and dualling of the A120 between Harwich and Horsley Cross and requests that ECC engages in the process of securing the necessary Government funding through the second Roads Investment Strategy Period 2020/25.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor Henderson explained the motion.

During the consideration of this item the Leader of the Council, on behalf of the Cabinet, placed on record its congratulations to The Honourable Sir Bernard Jenkin MP (for the Harwich and North Essex Parliamentary Constituency) on his being awarded a Knighthood in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Having considered and discussed the motion:-

It was moved by Councillor Stock OBE, seconded by Councillor P B Honeywood and:-

RESOLVED that Cabinet supports the spirit of Councillor I J Henderson’s motion but cannot support its wording in its original format and therefore it is:-

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that Councillor I J Henderson’s motion be amended to read as follows:-

“(1) This Council recognises:

·       The national and international significance of the A120 strategic highway.

·       That the A120 connects Stansted Airport to the international ports at Harwich and is a key economic corridor essential to the economic success and vitality of much of the East of England.

·       That the A120 is one of the country’s only East-West highways.

·       That the A120 from Braintree to Marks Tey is wholly inadequate and should be upgraded to dual carriageway as soon as possible.

·       That the A120 from Hare Green to Harwich is wholly inadequate and should be upgraded to dual carriageway as soon as possible.

(2) This Council notes and welcomes Essex County Council’s support for the dualling of the A120 from Braintree to Marks Tey, but this Council –

·         Questions why no route option was even considered that would run north of the existing route.

·         Questions the logic of favouring a new route which connects to the A12 so far south, actually closer to Chelmsford than to Colchester, as such an option will lead to far more traffic on the A12 which is already beyond capacity and will lengthen considerably journey times on the A120.

(3) This Council welcomes and supports the announcement by Highways England Regional Director – Eastern Region, Martin Fellows that the A120 between Harwich and Horsley Cross is at last being proposed for upgrade and dualling and this Council will actively seek support as a matter of urgency from –

·         Our Members of Parliament;

·         Essex County Council, including those Members elected to represent Tendring; and

·         All key stakeholders in both the public and the private sector –

to help make the case that the upgrade, renewal and dualling of the A120 between Harwich and Hare Green is vital not just to the economic prosperity and well-being of the District of Tendring but that it will also positively impact a much wider area.

(4) This Council specifically requests that Essex County Council ensures that the necessary Government funding is secured through the RIS2 (Road Investment Strategy 2) 2020/25 and the A120 is made fit for purpose and upgraded to dual-carriageway status as soon as possible.”

It was further RESOLVED that the Leader of the Council works with Councillor I J Henderson to review the final wording of the proposed amended motion, prior to the full Council meeting on 3 July 2018, in order to make it as effective as possible.