THE inquiry set up to look into congestion busting on the A12 is expected to report its findings at the end of July.

Thirty six witnesses from 24 organisations gave evidence to the inquiry over the three days during which it sat.

More than 200 members of the public contacted the inquiry with their own views which the commission will consider.

Chaired by former permanent secretary at the Department for Transport, Sir David Rowlands - with leading transport experts Dr David Quarmby, Professor Stephen Glaister and a former transport minister Lord Whitty - the inquiry has been reviewing the current and future demands on the A12 and ways to enhance its performance.

More than half of the online submitters use the A12 as private motorists to go to work; nearly two thirds use the A12 "usually every day".

Suggestions from the public include widening to three lanes each way, variable speed limits, fixed speed limits, banning HGVs from overtaking each other, quicker clearance of incidents and accidents, footbridges and detailed suggestions for the improvement of junctions and slip roads.

Many submitters also commented on bad driver behaviour.

Evidence from the inquiry can be viewed either at www.essex.gov.uk/a12inquiry or by visiting Essex County Council' on YouTube.

ECC leader Lord Hanningfield said: "This has been a first for local authorities who have the duty of maximising the quality of life of their residents.

"The A12 Inquiry has now heard from nearly forty witnesses with expert knowledge on Essex's busiest route and they've been listened to by the country's most eminent transport experts.

"I now look forward to Sir David's final report and I can assure the public that I will do all I can to ensure that this report becomes a template for the future of the A12 and that we use the evidence contained within it to help us try and turnaround the A12 from being Britain's Worst Road' to one of Britain's best."

The commissioners expect to report to the county council by the end of June with the recommendations intended to be published on Monday July 28.