THE stretch of the A12 which passes through Brentwood is no longer "fit for purpose" according to a national motoring organisation.
The Southern and Eastern region director at the Road Haulage Association John Howells has urged the Government to invest in "capacity improvements" to widen the road after travelling along the route himself.
At present, much of the road is two lanes wide, and at one point it narrows to one lane between the Brook Street roundabout and Romford.
"We can talk about expansion for the next ten years but we need to be investing," he said this week.
"The junctions between motorways and major A-roads are important to prevent unnecessary traffic and on somewhere like the A12 you don't want single carriageways.
"When our road network was built nobody foresaw the potential for the increase in the amount of cars on the roads.
"Now single lanes are always going to create congestion.
"We need to see an approach that says 'let's improve the A12 and get it up to standard."
Last month Essex county councillors backed a motion to prevent lorries from overtaking between Marks Tey and the Boreham interchange in an effort to ease congestion.
But Mr Howells criticised that decision and called for the current 40mph A-road speed limit for HGVs to be lifted and major work to begin.
Residents in Selwood Road, Talbrook, and Spital Lane near the Brook Street roundabout have previously complained about noise from road works on the stretch near their homes but Mr Howells said there is "no gain without pain".
He added: "If people can see there's going to be an improvement they tend not to mind so much.
"Not if there is a light at the end of the tunnel."
"There will be more traffic on the roads in the future and if they don't invest now the problems will get worse. That shows what needs to be done on the A12.
"It's time for investment."
Manager of West Horndon haulage company V J Milman, Duncan Page, echoed those sentiments.
"It'd be a worthwhile investment," he said. Even though they've made improvements in the drainage some years ago the A12 really is busy enough to warrant three lanes now."
Discussing the single lane strip of the road Mr Page added: "Three, into, two, into one, just doesn't go.
"It's a road that feeds North Essex quite well but it needs improving.
"The M11, I think, has been improved into a good road, and adding an extra lane to the A12 would only be a good thing."
A Department for Transport spokesman said: "Investment in infrastructure which helps national and regional growth is a top priority for the Coalition Government, which is why we have set out spending plans for over £28bn in enhancements and maintenance for national and local roads.
"We have already confirmed the development and construction of 52 major road projects in this parliament and the next. However, for other proposals, such as those put forward by the Road Haulage Association, the Department will continue to work with local councils, community groups and business to ensure all views surrounding the A12 are taken in to account when considering any future proposals."
