A12 from Suffolk to London comes bottom in national survey

Government watchdog Transport Focus represents drivers and other road users of the nation's trunk road network - owned and managed by National Highways.

In its annual survey of customer satisfaction, the A12 came bottom of the 27 National Highways roads in England.

For many people the start of their journey on the A12 - the approach to the Brook Street junction at Brentwood off the M25. (Image: Google Maps)

The rating only applies to the road as far as the Copdock Interchange with the A14 - the stretch from Seven Hills outside Ipswich to Lowestoft is owned and run by Suffolk County Council and Transport Focus has no jurisdiction over local authority-controlled roads.

Only 55% of users were satisfied with the A12 which has seen major roadworks near Colchester for several months - and has been waiting for a upgrade between Chelmsford and the A120 at Marks Tey for many years.

The A14 is in the middle of the league table satisfying 71% of users - still some way behind the most popular road, the A19 in north-east England, which has an 85% satisfaction rating.

The A12 has ranked last in a survey (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

The amount of roadworks on the A12 was one of the factors indicated by drivers when asked why they were dissatisfied with it.

One said: “Because they have roadworks on there. They have been there for over a year now and don’t seem to be doing much.”

Another said it was a poor-quality road and needed more maintenance.

The A12 in Essex is due to be upgraded over a 15-mile stretch between Chelmsford and Marks Tey in a project that was costed at £1.2billion in 2021.

However it was said that that time that it would be the end of the decade before it would be completed and it is still at the planning stage, so it is unlikely to be open until the early 2030s.

Work on the A12 near Colchester has delayed traffic for months. (Image: Google Maps)

The road between Colchester and Marks Tey is nearing the end of an upgrade that has caused frustration for motorists for many months.

But while major investment is planned for the road in Essex - the outlook is Suffolk is less promising. 

Rush hour queues at the Copdock junction on the A12 are a daily frustration for motorists. (Image: Google Maps)

There are plans to upgrade the Copdock Junction where the A12 meets the A14 but no design for this has been agreed and no timetable has been shared with anyone.

And the stretch of road around East Bergholt and Stratford St Mary has concerned local MP James Cartlidge since he was first elected in 2015 - in 2017 he brought then roads minister Jesse Norman to see the junctions for himself.

James Cartlidge brought Jesse Norman (centre) to the East Bergholt junction to meet then local councillor Gordon Jones in 2017. (Image: Archant) 

Mr Cartlidge said: “This stretch of the A12 is vital for my constituents and I’m not particularly surprised by this response.

"Of course, there is the long-standing issue of the junctions near East Bergholt where the road bends sharply, which many local people feel are dangerous but where there does not appear to be sufficient departmental recognition of that risk to justify the investment required.

South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge over the A12 (Image: Contributed)

"In particular, there is the issue of Copdock junction, which has been a perennial issue, with all the associated congestion and its impact on both the local and regional economy."

The business community is also keen to see investment in the region's road network. 

Paul Simon, from Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “The value of this survey lies in reminding local and national policymakers of the serious implications of the longstanding investment deficit in roads planning in Suffolk.

Paul Simon, of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"For too long, this failure has blighted day-to-day journeys and calls in to question some Suffolk-based companies’ longer-term growth and jobs plans.

He said the Chamber was meeting representatives of National Highways and the county council today to discuss what happens when there are closures on the Orwell Bridge or elsewhere on the A14 and A12.

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott added:  “I am disappointed, but not surprised, that the A12 has been ranked so poorly by road users. I hope National Highways takes note of this conclusive feedback and acts accordingly to improve drivers’ experience."

A National Highways spokesperson said: "We listened to the views of road users and are about to complete the final section of £100m of improvements we have delivered to the A12 since this survey was undertaken.

“This work will provide safer, smoother and quieter journeys for those that rely on this vital road as well as less need for maintenance and repair in the future."