'No current plans to make improvements' at A120 in Harwich

After an enquiry submitted by councillor Ivan Henderson last year, National Highways released their review of the Primrose Lane junction between Wix and Harwich.

It uses data from June 2020 to September 2023.

It says there were two collisions resulting in personal injury within a 200m radius of the junction, both of which resulted in fatal injuries.

The number of collisions average on the stretch of road – at 6.6 per year – in 2015, 2016, and 2018 were all above the baseline average.

Data from 2015-19 found that there were 33 personal injury collisions on the road including 10 'killed or seriously injured', with four of those being fatal.

Urgent - Councillor Ivan Henderson said the question was now when any safety measures would be implement (Image: Submitted)

Councillor Ivan Henderson said: “Now there is clear evidence that safety measures need to be on the road and there are various things that National Highways are suggesting.

“It is also recognisable in the report that the number of accidents are above the base-line.

"Further, a key observation from the report was that there was an inconsistency of the heights on signs from the port, particularly signing targeted at foreign motorists.”

Proposed improvement measures include the need to reduce “road side clutter”.

A review of the existing speed limits along the route was also proposed.

Mr Henderson said: “National Highways are listing several possibilities but my question now is when are these safety measures going to be implemented? Now rather than later.”

In response to this article, Steven Thulborn - National Highways’ Head of Programme and Development in the East Region - said: “Safety is our number one priority which is why we are looking at ways to improve the A120 in Harwich.

“These plans are currently at a development stage as we continue to work alongside Essex County Council to identify and coordinate a series of appropriate measures to increase safety on this vital road leading to one of the region’s major ports.”

Mr Henderson previously called for urgent action and a uniform 50mph speed limit on the A120 East following four fatal crashes in as many months in 2022.

It included the death of healthcare worker Nicola Frost, 40, who died following a collision involving her Suzuki Ignis and a Mercedes Sprinter van on the A120 at nearby Ramsey.

Missed - Nicola Frost and David Edmunds (Image: Family handout)

Antiquarian bookseller David Edmunds, 82, of Wrabness, died following a collision between his Volvo V40 and a van at the A120’s junction with Primrose Lane.

An 84-year-old woman also died following a crash on the A120 at Wix, while quad biker Marley Kline, 18, died after a collision on the Colchester-bound A120 at Great Bromley.

To read the full technical note visit here and to read the letter of enquiry click here.