A THIRD lane must be added to the “out-of-date” A127 so that Southend finally has a motorway fit for a city.

Councillors across the political divide describe the road as “past its sell-by date” and belonging “in a museum.”

And they plan to lobby the county council and Government until the changes are made.

Ron Woodley, Independent deputy leader of Southend Council said: “An upgrade is desperately needed for the A127 as it’s well past its sellby date.

“I think three lanes each way is a must from the edge of the City of Southend and we must talk with the county council and push the Government to agree this.

“We have to build about 23,000 homes and the road is well past it at the moment. It’s a massive process and would cost billions and would take years to get it sorted and built.”

The calls come as Essex County Council pushes on with plans to upgrade the Fairglen Junction, where the A127, A13 and A130 meet.

READ MORE >>>

The plans, which are expected to start later this year, include a new link road between the A130 and the A1245 north of the railway line, a segregated left-turn lane from the A1245 southbound to the A127 eastbound, slip road improvements, and a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.

Essex County Council is also waiting to hear back from the Government about proposals to straighten the Fortune of War junction on the A127.

Mr Woodley said substantial changes were needed to give people arriving and leaving the city a much smoother journey. The deputy council boss has also previously called for a trams to connect Southend, Rochford and Castle Point.

Kerry Smith, leader of the Independent Group in Basildon, added: “It’s so out of date it belongs in a museum. I think three lanes in some parts would work well and also get rid of all those silly traffic lights.

“It needs a complete overhaul from the Gallows Corner junction near Romford through to Southend.

These are needed to keep it more free-flowing and to ease the congestion. At times it’s so slow and you are lucky to get up to 40mph.”