Nearly 100 business representatives from Harwich and the wider Tendring area came together today at the Waterfront, Harwich to back the A120 campaign. The event was hosted by the Haven Gateway Partnership who have been leading the A120 campaign, and Bernard Jenkin MP (Con, Harwich and North Essex).
A formal consultation into dualling the A120 between Braintree and the A12 near Marks Tey will open in January 2017, and over the coming months the A120 campaign will be hosting a series of business led events to demonstrate the overwhelming support that the campaign holds amongst local businesses. Today’s event follows similarly successful events in Braintree and Colchester in recent months and precedes a Suffolk A120 business rally next month.
Today’s event featured speeches and campaign updates from George Kieffer (Chairman of the Haven Gateway Partnership), Bernard Jenkin MP, and Cllr Rodney Bass (Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Essex County Council). They were introduced by Cllr Neil Stock (Leader, Tendring Council).
George Kieffer, Chairman of the Haven Gateway Partnership, commented:
“There is now a real sense of momentum for the A120 campaign. From west to east along the route, the business community has overwhelmingly supported urgent investment in the A120. Braintree, Colchester and now Harwich and Tendring have demonstrated that ours is a united campaign representing businesses across Essex. Our campaign will next month lead us to Suffolk, where we expect a similar rousing vote for investment”
Bernard Jenkin MP added:
“It is fantastic the way everyone is pulling together on this. It is down to the brilliant leadership of George Kieffer and each of the local authority leaders that we are making such progress. Dualling the A120 is essential to unlocking the economic potential of North Essex, and to reduce deaths and injuries. I very much hope the Government recognises the economic opportunity here to create jobs and growth in Essex, as well as addressing the vital safety case as the road is used by more and more cars.”