ONE of the busiest roads in Essex is set to become safer and less congested with a major £60million investment.

The A12 will receive government funding for a new technology package aimed at reducing delays and providing better information for motorists.

This would involve installing variable message signs and automatic incident detection sensors embedded in the road surface, over a 54-mile stretch of the road, which currently changes between two and three lanes, and has different widths, lighting, access and lay-bys.

Under the improvements drivers would be warned of congestion or accidents, and be advised on other possible routes.

But the plans will only go ahead if the East of England Regional Assembly agrees to match the sum put up by the government.

The announcement comes after a £10million inquiry into the A12 by Essex County Council earlier this year, called for the government to upgrade the road’s status to secure more funding.

Lord Hanningfield, leader of Essex County Council, welcomed the news to give the road a higher status, but said more needed to be done to improve the trunk road.

He said: “Our efforts on behalf of motorists and businesses in Essex and East Anglia to bring the A12 to national attention are bearing fruit and we will continue to work with the government to achieve the improvements to the A12 which will prevent the misery and congestion that is currently so often a feature of the road.

“However, there is still a long way to go before the A12 meets the standards that the motorists of Essex expect and demand, and we will continue to lobby the government until substantial improvements in this key route become a reality.”

Simon Burns, MP for West Chelmsford, said the new investment only scratched the surface of the congested A12.

He said: “It is a positive step because it will give information on the road’s traffic flows and potential congestion.

“But it’s only scratching the surface of the other problems of the road itself.

“More funding for structural changes is needed to upgrade it all the way - I would like to see three lanes along the route.”

If the regional assembly decides to match the funding, work is likely to start in 2011 or 2012.