Skip to main content
Find a National Infrastructure Project

This is a beta service - your feedback will help us to improve it

A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme

Project information

Latest update - 12 January 2024

The Secretary of State has granted development consent for this application. For further information please refer to the following decision documentation:

View all updates.

About the project

Type of application: Highways

Name of applicant: National Highways

Widening where necessary of the A12 between Chelmsford (junction 19) and the A120 (junction 25) from two to three lanes in each direction; improve junction 19 and 25; removal of junctions 20a, 20b and 23; move junction 21, 22 and 24 to make them all movement junctions and; create two bypasses

View the developer's website

Project stage

This project is at the post-decision stage.

This application was granted on 12 January 2024.

Pre-application
Completed

This is where the applicant starts to create their application. The applicant is required to consult with people and organisations in the area. They must also create detailed documents about the impact the project could have on the environment.

It is important to get involved at this stage to influence the application before the applicant sends it to the Planning Inspectorate.

Find out what you can do at this stage and check our detailed guides.

Acceptance
Completed

This is when the applicant sends us their application documents. We check if we can accept the application for examination. We have 28 days to make this decision.

How the acceptance stage works and what happens next.

Pre-examination
Completed

The Examining Authority is appointed and is made up of one or more inspectors. Anyone who wants to have their say needs to register at this stage.

The applicant must publish that the application has been accepted by us. They include when and how parties can register to get involved. The time period for registering is set by the applicant but must be no less than 28 days.

The pre-examination stage usually takes about 3 months.

What happens during the pre-examination stage.

Examination
Completed

The Examining Authority will ask questions about the proposed development. The applicant and anyone who has registered to have their say can get involved and submit comments at each deadline in the timetable. You can also attend hearings that may take place. This stage takes up to 6 months.

What happens at the examination stage?

Recommendation
Completed

The Examining Authority writes its recommendation report. This must be completed and sent to the relevant Secretary of State within 3 months of the end of examination stage.

Making a recommendation.

Decision
Completed

The decision stage is when the relevant Secretary of State then reviews the report and makes the final decision. They have 3 months to make a decision.

Who makes the final decision.

What happens after the decision is made

Once the Secretary of State has made a decision, there is a 6 week period where people can challenge the decision in the high court. This is called a judicial review.

What you can do after the decision has been made.

Project location

From Junction 19 of the A12 to the East of Chelmsford to Junction 25 with the A120 at Marks Tey


Get updates

Enter your email address to receive:

  • updates on project progress
  • information on how to have your say
  • notifications when key documents are published
Read the privacy notice to see how we handle your information.
Get updates

Contact us

Telephone

If you have an interested party number, have it with you when you call.

Telephone: 0303 444 5000

Open Monday to Friday: 9am to 4pm.
Closed on weekends and bank holidays.

Email

NIEnquiries@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.

When writing an email, quote the name of the project in the subject line.

We aim to respond within 10 working days.

Alternative formats

Call or email to ask for project documents in alternative formats such as PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille.