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Written question asked by Priti Patel (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 December 2025. It was answered by Simon Lightwood (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.


A12: Repairs and Maintenance

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.

Answer

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.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
98750
Session
2024-26
Related items
A12: Repairs and Maintenance
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Costs A12 Repairs and maintenance
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk