WHAT is to be done about the A127?

The question is never far from the mind of anyone who uses the road on a regular basis. But it has been asked with particular strength of feeling recently, following a spate of snarl-ups which left motorists stranded for hours.

All roads in south Essex are crowded, but the A127 is the pivotal problem.

It only takes a small crunch on the A127 to jam other roads for miles around – as far back as the M25 junction in the case of one accident last week.

So what should those with power over our road system do to address the problem? The first answer is they should be honest, and this is the policy that has rightly been adopted by Essex County Council transport officer, Paul Bird.

He accepts the A127 has reached saturation point, but is also open about the fact there is no quick fix.

It is easy to talk about widening the road, but how?

It is agreed some parts of the A127 are heavily built-up, but there are ways of making things work.

Look at what has been done to build capacity on the A127 at Cuckoo Corner, Progress Road and now Tesco.

Far better use of space has eased traffic congestion.

The same tactics could be employed elsewhere on the A127.

While austerity Britain is still a major issue, there is an impact on the economy of constant delays on businesses.

We need action now.