travel news a120 braintree

Information

Welcome to the Highways Service Information Centre

Live Traffic Map

View live traffic, road closures, diversions and roadworks which may have an effect on your journey. These roadworks include not only our roadworks, but also utility street works such as water, gas, electric, telephone companies etc. 

The map will not show emergency closures by the Police. Emergency works by utility companies will only show once the utility company has informed Essex Highways of the works, which is after the works have started.

This map is streamed live from one.network (To view the map in full screen please select the link)

Modal title

Modal body text goes here.

• ALL MOTORWAYS
• Southampton
• West Midlands
• East Anglia
• Central Scotland
• ALL REGIONS

Traffic Braintree

•   Braintree
• Nearby: Braintree Coggeshall Tilbury Chelmsford Sudbury Danbury

Current traffic around Braintree

The following traffic incidents and congestion for Braintree have been reported by Highways England, Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales or Transport for London (TfL) in the last two hours:

Traffic in Nearby Villages

• Bocking Churchstreet (0.96mi)
• Brain (1.1mi)
• Bocking (1.16mi)
• High Garrett (1.47mi)
• Stisted (2.02mi)
• Bradwell (2.05mi)
• Lanham Green (2.15mi)
• Tumbler's Green (2.18mi)
• Perry Green (2.26mi)
• Black Notley (2.31mi)
• Great Notley (2.37mi)
• Hawbush Green (2.39mi)
• Cressing (2.39mi)
• Panfield (2.47mi)
• Folly Green (2.49mi)
• Pattiswick (2.64mi)
• Row Green (2.83mi)
• The Green (2.89mi)
• Duckend Green (2.97mi)
• Rayne (3.11mi)
• Jasper's Green (3.29mi)
• Bartholomew Green (3.37mi)
• Plaistow Green (3.37mi)
• Stockstreet (3.41mi)

Let's Get Social

Get in touch with us or stay up to date with our latest news and updates.

Live Email Traffic Alerts

Get live email alerts whenever there is a traffic incident or roadworks on the on the roads you travel that may cause congestion or jams.

LEGAL NOTICE

Please remember that it is against the law to use your mobile phone, tablet or any electronic device without a hands-free kit whilst driving. If you're caught by the police using any device that can send or receive data whilst driving or riding a motorcyle you'll get an automatic fixed penalty notice, 6 points on your licence and a fine of £200. A court could also disqualify you from driving.

Elsewhere on the web:

Official source of traffic updates.

Transport for London's (TfL) portal for transportation in London.

The Welsh government's traffic information service for Wales.

Live traffic conditions and news for Scotland's road network.

Advertise to millions of motorists, holidaymakers and commuters.

Except where otherwise noted, content and photographs on this site are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License . Owned, operated and copyright CliqTo Ltd 2024 and Chris Haycock . Registered company number 7575287.

• Skip to content
• Accessibility

A120 Braintree to A12

The programme of enhancements within the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) remains the mechanism through which new schemes, such as A120 Braintree to A12, are developed and their delivery planned.   In its Ministerial Statement to Parliament in March 2023, the government announced that work on the future pipeline of schemes that have been earmarked for RIS3 (covering 2025 to 2030) will now be considered for delivery as part of RIS4 (beyond 2030).

• Related road projects

Project information

The A120 is a key route for the local and national economy. Commuters, freight, residents and businesses suffer daily lengthy delays on this single-carriageway road which costs the country millions of pounds every year.

In March 2020, the government announced details of the second Road Investment Strategy (RIS2) covering April 2020 to March 2025. The A120 Braintree to A12 was one of the ‘pipeline projects’ announced that would undergo further analysis and design work for consideration for potential future investment.

The proposals for improving this stretch of road, initially developed by Essex County Council (ECC), were transferred to National Highways in 2020. Since the transfer, National Highways has been validating and updating the work completed by ECC. This work has now concluded.

The programme of enhancements within the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) remains the mechanism through which new schemes, such as A120 Braintree to A12, are developed and their delivery planned.  

In its Ministerial Statement to Parliament in March 2023, the government announced that work on the future pipeline of schemes that have been earmarked for RIS3 (covering 2025 to 2030) will now be considered for delivery as part of RIS4 (beyond 2030).

The benefits of this scheme are:

• Improving road safety: The scheme is expected to result in a significant reduction in collisions in this area, including on the existing A120 and the local roads used as ‘rat-runs’ when the A120 road is congested.
• Improving user satisfaction: The scheme would reduce delays due to congestion, make journey times more reliable and increase the overall transport capacity of the A120 corridor. This would be expected to improve user satisfaction significantly, and this is demonstrated by the key concerns identified by the A120 non-statutory public consultation run by Essex County Council, and a survey of road user concerns run by Transport Focus.
• Supporting the smooth flow of traffic: The scheme will make journey times more reliable by reducing delays from congestion, reducing the number of collisions and improving the resilience of road network. This will help the A120 corridor to cope with incidents such as collisions, breakdowns, road works and maintenance, and flooding.
• Encouraging economic growth: The scheme is expected to reduce travel delays, underpin new housing and economic growth, and enable businesses to flourish.
• Delivering better environmental outcomes: The scheme should give help reduce road noise.
• Helping cyclists, walkers, and other vulnerable road users: Opportunities for providing new and better road crossings are being considered.
• Achieving efficiency: The proposed routes would mainly be constructed away from the current A120 road, which helps to make construction schedules more reliable, as less road closures and roadworks are needed to complete the new road. 
• Keeping the road network in good condition: A new dual carriageway would replace around 9 miles (15km) of the A120 single carriageway which currently needs significant maintenance on its road surface.

A120 Braintree to A12 project newsletter: March 2022

Related Road projects

A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening scheme (junctions 19 to 25)

Traffic information

Manage your cookie preferences to view the content on this page

National Highways

Sign up for updates!

Keep up to date with what's happening on this scheme by signing up to our updates.

Find out more

• Our work and your property

Trees will be cut back and parking banned to allow huge 180-tonne lorry to travel through Essex

T rees will be cut back and people will be stopped from parking on the street to allow a huge turbine to be delivered to the Rivenhall incinerator site. Parking restrictions will have to be implemented to allow lorries to bring equipment that weighs up to 180 tonnes to the construction site

Special permission is being sought for the transportation of a 120-tonne turbine and 107-tonne generator to the integrated waste management facility at Rivenhall. The gross vehicle weight of the turbine and generator will be 180 tonnes and 166 tonnes respectively.

A previous condition that prevented work vehicles from accessing or leaving the site via Coggeshall Road (A120 Trunk Road) has to be ignored as the lorries must avoid a number of bridges on alternative routes that have weight limits of 140 tonnes.

Read more: Well-loved Dick Turpin pub on A127 to shut its doors for good next month

Read more: A120 near Stansted Airport to shut overnight until September for 'refreshed road markings'

Instead, the route involves passing through the busy Galleys Corner roundabout, which regularly sees long queues on its approach, as well as the small communities of Cressing and Silver End. One lorry - carrying the turbine will have a total length of more than 30 metres. The deliveries are scheduled to take place on July 1.

The change in permission is required as there are weight restrictions along the A120 preventing the vehicles from being brought to the site by this route. A bridge over the River Blackwater on the A120 has been identified by National Highways as being inadequate to take the vehicle loads.

And approaching the site from the east there is a railway bridge with a 140-tonne limit and culvert which also has weight restrictions. Once unloaded it is understood that the vehicles will be able to leave the site via the access road to the A120 as the unloaded vehicles will be well within the restricted weight limit

Bollards on the approach to the roundabout at Doverhouse Road will have to be removed, trees will have to but back on Temple Lane and further along Temple Lane, parking restrictions will be required to allow the lorries to pass. The equipment is being loaded onto specialist lorries at Tilbury from where they will travel along the A1089 to the A13 and then to the M25 and M11 to junction 8.

From there they will travel along the A120 to Galleys Corners when the route moves to smaller roads - the B1018, then Temple Lane, then Western Road, Park Gate Road and finally to Woodhouse Lane.

A statement as part of a planning application said: “This non-material amendment is required as there are weight restrictions along the A120 preventing the vehicles being brought to the site by this route.

"Approaching the site entrance from the west (Braintree) along the A120 the bridge over the River Blackwater has been identified by National Highways as being inadequate to take the vehicle loads (140 tonne limit) and approaching the site from the east (Colchester) there is a railway bridge (140 tonne limit) and culvert which also have weight restrictions.

"The culvert is approximately 700 metres east of the site entrance and the railway bridge is approximately 6.5 miles east of the site at Marks Tey. The gross vehicle weight of the turbine and generator will be 180 tonnes and 166 tonnes respectively, this clearly exceeds the 140-tonne limit identified above.

"Once unloaded it is understood that the vehicles will be able to leave the site via the access road to the A120 as the unloaded vehicles will be well within the restricted weight limit.”

Our travel writer shares his New England summertime favorites, from the best beach to the perfect miniature golf course

Tell us your favorites in the comments..

B URLINGTON, Vt. — I knew I had found the ideal bike trail when I pedaled past a sign that read, “Today! Maple Creemees.”

Any bike trail near an ice cream stand selling decadent maple creemees already has a huge advantage over all others. But even without the ice cream stand, the Island Line Trail is stellar. The 14-mile bike path, which was once the route of the Island Line Railroad, hugs the shore of Lake Champlain and, for three miles, offers a unique experience of biking over the lake. There’s a gap in the trail to let boat traffic through, but fear not, a bike ferry takes cyclists from one side of the trail to the other.

The trail is primarily flat, so you don’t need to train on a Peloton or worry about your fitness level. I biked the Island Line round trip earlier this month and didn’t break a sweat. Keep in mind that my normal exercise routine is raising an arm to signal a server that I’m ready for another glass of wine, and even I could complete the ride. Near the start of the trail, you’ll find Local Motion Bike Rentals , which rents standard or electric bikes. I recommend reserving online in advance to sidestep disappointment. On a warm, breezy day, the Island Line Trail is perfection.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Boston Globe Arts & Lifestyle (@bostonglobelife)

Advertisement

It may sound brazen, but I’m declaring Island Line the best bike trail in New England. And that’s just the start. After years of disagreeing with best-of lists, I decided to create my own. I’ve lived in New England my entire life, and for the past decade, I’ve enjoyed exploring it further for work. I’ve seen influencers with far less experience and acumen declare themselves experts. Why not me?

I carefully pondered categories, leafed through old notebooks, and consulted with fellow New Englanders. So, my friends, here it is, the inaugural edition of Christopher Muther’s Completely Random and Highly Personal List of New England Summertime Favorites.

Best Beach: Misquamicut State Beach

Declaring any beach superior to another is a sure way to upset New Englanders. They’re either angry you didn’t mention their favorite beach, or they’re angry you did. I’m calling Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly, R.I., the best because it has more facilities than most (playground, concessions, outdoor showers, and wheelchair accessibility), plus, the ocean water will not give you frostbite. I love Ogunquit Beach in Maine, but I’m just not a cold plunge kind of guy. When you’re done at Misquamicut, grab a drink on the Verandah at the Ocean House , which is just 10 minutes away. 257 Atlantic Ave., Westerly, R.I., riparks.ri.gov/beaches .

Best Miniature Golf Course: Putters Paradise & Ice Cream

This is one of the most challenging categories to narrow down. New England has so many old-school miniature golf courses with amazingly kitschy obstacles that I felt guilty choosing one. My first inclination was to give the win to the delightfully bizarre Miniature Golf on the Village Green in Natick. The 60-year-old course is focused on the American Revolution, and kids are always begging to play American Revolution-themed miniature golf. With apologies to the Founding Fathers and Natick, I think the best course can be found at Putters Paradise Mini Golf & Ice Cream in West Yarmouth. It’s filled with memorable obstacles (A pink octopus named Princess Tina! A maniacally happy dolphin!), and the course is well-maintained and challenging enough for all ages. 119 MA-28, West Yarmouth, 508-771-7394, www.puttersparadise.net .

Best Boston Roof Deck: Long Bar, Raffles Boston

Boston’s rooftop eating and drinking scene has experienced a growth spurt over the past decade, which made choosing a favorite city roof deck harder than I anticipated. I was ready to give this category to Deck 12 at the Yotel in the Seaport (and I still recommend it), but the patio at the Long Bar elevates al fresco imbibing, and not simply because it’s located on the 17th floor of a posh hotel. There are some drawbacks to the terrace at the Long Bar. It’s a hard place to score a table, and the menu isn’t necessarily wallet-friendly. But the views of the Back Bay and the innovative cocktails make up for its shortcomings. Pick a special occasion, or make one up, as an excuse to experience it. 40 Trinity Place, Boston, 617-351-8888, www.raffles.com/boston .

Best Glamping: Huttopia White Mountains

Huttopia, a French-owned chain of glampgrounds, has found the magic formula between old-school camping and modern comfort. Their tents (particularly the Trappeur tent) actually feels like camping. It’s still a canvas tent, but it also has a bathroom, comfy beds, and a basic kitchen inside. You can opt for a more rustic experience (the tiny Bonaventure tent), or go full glam in the modern and chic Vista tiny house. Either way, make s’mores by the fire at night and pretend you’re roughing it. The New Hampshire location is situated on 50 acres of lakefront forest and is in the heart of the White Mountains. There’s also Huttopia in Sanford, Maine . Prices generally range from $125 to $350 depending on the season and availability. Pine Knoll Road, Albany, N.H., 603-447-3131, canada-usa.huttopia.com .

Best Way to Beat Summer Traffic: CapeFlyer

I’m here to deliver good news, and, of course, bad news. The good news (in case you missed it, and a lot of people have) is that there’s train service between Boston and Cape Cod. The CapeFlyer has been around for 11 years and runs from South Station to Hyannis with stops in Braintree, Middleborough, Wareham Village, and Buzzards Bay. It’s 2 hours and 20 minutes of watching scenery instead of taillights. The bad news is that the CapeFlyer’s schedule is incredibly limited. The train runs one round trip per day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. On Saturday and Sunday, trains depart South Station for Hyannis at 7:45 a.m., and depart Hyannis back to Boston at 6:10 p.m. On Fridays, the train runs in the evening. Boston-to-Hyannis round trip tickets are $40 ($20 for seniors). You can bring your bike on the train at no charge, or, when you get to Hyannis, you can take the free trolley service around the town and to the beach. capeflyer.com .

Best Hike: Flying Mountain Loop, Southwest Harbor

Flying Mountain Loop in Acadia National Park isn’t a well-guarded secret trail only used by locals and in-the-know hikers. It’s quite popular. Despite this, I’ve never encountered crowds when I hike Flying Mountain. That could also be because I steer clear on weekends, or perhaps vacationers are more intent on tackling better-known hikes. Their loss is our gain. Flying Mountain is the shortest labeled peak in Acadia, but despite the limited height, it offers sweeping views. It’s a quick, mile-and-a-half round trip hike. The trail is labeled moderate, so it’s better for kids who are a little older and active adults. But it’s a limited physical investment with a big payoff. In less than an hour, you see Somes Sound and the surrounding mountains stretched all around you. The entire hike usually takes less than two hours, but it can go much longer depending on how often you stop to gaze at the scenery. 96 Fernald Point Road, Southwest Harbor, Maine, www.nps.gov .

Best Maple Creemee: Canteen Creemee Company

I’m brazenly declaring a lot of superlatives in this list, but even I’m not foolish enough to think I could possibly choose the best place to get ice cream in New England. It’s like trying to choose which one of your cats (or, for most people, children) you love most. But, I’ve eaten more maple creemees than anyone should be legally allowed to consume in a lifetime, and can hands-down say that the Canteen Creemee Company in Waitsfield, Vt., has perfected the creamier-than-soft-serve creemee. It’s rich, smooth, and the maple tastes fresh. Canteen Creemee gets inventive with chocolate, cinnamon, and ginger creemees, and by all means, you should try them. But their best offering remains the original maple. 5123 Main St., Waitsfield, Vt., 802-496-6003, www.canteencreemee.com .

Best Beachfront Bargain Lodging: The Surfside Hotel

Escaping to a seaside hotel at the height of summer in New England is not for the faint of heart. Both procuring a reservation and paying the nightly rate can be daunting. However, there’s a dreamy retro hotel on Long Island Sound in Connecticut that was recently renovated, sits on the beach, and is priced around $250 a night through most of July and August (price always changes with demand and availability). The Surfside Hotel in Stratford opened just after the pandemic with rooms that look like a breezy mashup between the Hamptons and Southern California. I’m highlighting the Surfside in an effort to get you to check out the beaches in this part of New England, and also so you’ll explore the rest of Stratford. The town has 18 miles of shore, plus a museum dedicated to railroad and model railroading ( Boothe Memorial Park and Museum ), the National Helicopter Museum , the Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum , and even a museum dedicated to the Merritt Parkway. You laugh now, but on a rainy day when you can’t go to the beach, you’ll be thanking me for the Merritt Parkway Museum recommendation. 10 Washington Parkway, Stratford, Conn., 475-476-7873, www.thesurfside.com .

Best Fried Clams: Bob’s Clam Hut

New Englanders are obsessed with lobster rolls. We debate what temperature they should be served at, if they should be dressed with mayonnaise or butter, and if the roll should be grilled or not. While all of that crustacean controversy is happening, I’m content to sit in the corner, away from the cross fire, and devour a basket of fried clams. Unlike the lobster fracas, there’s no bickering over what constitutes a perfect batch of fried clams. They should be meaty, but not rubbery. Hot, but not just-out-of-the-fryer scalding. Battered, but not lost in breading, and just a touch over-salted. We are blessed to live amongst so many clam shacks, but there’s one that makes them best. Bob’s Clam Hut has been perfecting the art of frying clams since 1956. I’m not the kind of person who takes pictures of their food, but everytime I’m at Bob’s, I take a photo of my fried clams and text it to my mom to make her jealous. She does the same. Strangely, I never tire of seeing those pictures. 315 US-1, Kittery, Maine, 207-439-4233, bobsclamhut.com .

Christopher Muther can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him @Chris_Muther and Instagram @chris_muther.

Police appeal over 'serious collision' on A120 near Braintree

Police said it involved 'a number of vehicles'. It led to queues and slow traffic as drivers found alternative routes

• 20:20, 16 NOV 2023
• Updated 08:19, 17 NOV 2023

Get the latest traffic and travel news straight to your inbox

We have more newsletters

Police closed a stretch of the A120 on Thursday night (November 16) after a multi-vehicle crash. The collision westbound happened at just before 6.30pm and involved "a number of vehicles", Essex Police said.

At 9pm the busy route remained closed from the Notley Green roundabout to Dunmow South. It led to traffic congestion in the area as drivers found alternative routes.

Police said officers were working to release traffic caught in the queues. Officers are appealing for witnesses to the crash to get in touch.

Read more: Two emus escape owners and wander into vet's car park in Purleigh

Read more: Police launch A12 investigation after collision leaves driver injured

Essex Police said: "We were called to the incident shortly before 6pm, which involved a number of vehicles. The westbound carriageway has been closed and we expect it will be closed into this evening as our investigation progresses.

"We would ask that all motorists currently stationary in queues do not try to find a way to leave the area. Officers are working to release all traffic safely. A number of people have already come forward to give us their account of the incident.

"We would encourage anyone who is yet to come forward to please do so. We need anyone who witnessed the incident, has dash cam footage of it or has any information to get in touch.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm. Alternatively, you can call us on 101. Please cite crime incident 875 of 16 November."

Traffic information service Inrix said: "Road closed and queueing traffic due to police incident on A120 Westbound from A131 / B1256 (Notley Green Roundabout) to Dunmow South."

Essex County Council's Essex Travel service on X said: "A120 Both Directions– Closed between the A131 (Panners Farm) and the B1008 (Great Dunmow) following an accident by Sorrell’s Farm. Long delays."

It said there was also slow traffic on the B1256 through Rayne village due to the closure of the A120.

• Essex County Council
• Traffic and Travel
• Most Recent