A127 / A130 Fairglen Interchange

Introduction

Computer-generated image showing improvements to the Fairglen Roundabout

The A127 / A130 Fairglen Interchange is a crucial link in our region’s road network for South Essex and is of vital importance to our sustained economic growth. The Interchange has served us well for many years but has reached its capacity and is in need of significant improvement.

We would like your views on the proposed changes to the A127 / A130 Fairglen Interchange, which are designed to improve traffic flow, journey times and road safety at this major junction.

Public Consultation on the proposed improvements runs for a six-week period, from 6 February to 20 March 2018, and we invite everyone to give us their feedback using the survey or other response methods detailed at the bottom of this page. This public consultation comes after we carried out an information campaign in February 2017, when we published proposals for ‘short-term’ and ‘long-term’ improvements to the Fairglen Interchange.

The proposed improvements to the Fairglen Interchange now being consulted on are the ‘short-term’ published in 2017. The short-term scheme has been further developed and modelled following comments received from road users and local people in response to the information campaign. The short-term scheme would allow the Interchange to handle current traffic levels and predicted increases for up to 15 years enabling and supporting economic growth across South Essex.

What are the current problems?

The A127 / A130 Fairglen Interchange lies at a key point on the transport network in South Essex, forming a strategic connection between the A13, A127, A130 and A1245.
The Interchange currently experiences high levels of congestion during peak periods and high volumes of traffic at other times too.

There are also safety concerns, with significant numbers of collisions involving motor vehicles, which have been attributed to poor sightlines for drivers at some locations and to incorrect lane use.

As well as current traffic congestion and safety concerns, the Interchange is expected to come under increased pressure in future as plans for significant growth in housing and jobs is realised.

It is estimated that over 62,000 jobs will be created in South Essex by 2037, and that over 3,400 new homes per year will be needed to accommodate this new workforce.

What's our solution?

Based on feedback from our earlier information campaign, we have progressed our proposals for the ‘short-term’ option, and the changes we are proposing can be seen above, including:

A new ‘Southend Link Road’ linking the A130 southbound to a new signalised junction on the A1245, where traffic must turn right (southbound)
Widened slip roads on most of the arms of the Fairglen Roundabout
Additional and/or longer slip lanes on both A127 on-slip roads
Improvements at the Rayleigh Spur Roundabout, including new traffic lights at two arms of the junction and an additional lane on the roundabout itself
A new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists, linking to existing routes alongside the A127

Key features of the proposals

New link road from A130 to A127 via A1245

A new link road would provide a direct route from the A130 southbound to the A1245, from where traffic could easily access the A127.
This single-lane road, which would widen to two lanes at the traffic signals, would help relieve pressure on the Rayleigh Spur Roundabout, where delays to traffic entering on the A130 southbound can be severe.
Access to the link road would be via a single-lane slip road. The link would join the A1245 via a new traffic-light-controlled junction with two right-turn-only lanes.
The link road would be one-way, with no direct route in the opposite direction from the A1245 to the A130.

Fairglen Roundabout improvements

A new dedicated left-turn lane from A1245 to A127 eastbound, bypassing roundabout, with new dedicated slip lane and existing slip road retained.
The slip lane for traffic exiting the A127 eastbound towards the roundabout would be expanded from two lanes to four.
The slip lane for westbound traffic entering A127 from the roundabout would be extended and expanded from one lane to two.
The slip lane for westbound traffic leaving A127 to enter the roundabout would be expanded from two lanes to three.
There would be an additional southbound lane from Fairglen Roundabout to the start of the Rayleigh Spur bypass lane.

Rayleigh Spur Roundabout improvements

The roundabout would be enlarged with additional circulatory lanes and traffic lights on two of the three arms.
There would be new traffic lights at the A130 southbound approach to roundabout, with the road expanded to three lanes. The existing two-lane left-only bypass would be retained, avoiding the roundabout and traffic lights.
There would be new traffic signals at the A130 northbound approach to roundabout, with the road expanded from two lanes to three. The existing two-lane left only bypass would be retained, avoiding the roundabout and traffic lights.
The southbound A130 exit from the roundabout would be expanded from two lanes to three, merging down to two lanes where the left-slip lane currently runs alongside to form a third lane.
The A1245 southbound approach to the roundabout would continue to operate without traffic lights.

Improvements for walking and cycling

We would install a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists just south of the Fairglen Roundabout, which would link existing walking and cycling paths alongside the A127.
Existing cycling and walking paths, such as those around the Rayleigh Spur roundabout, would be retained

Previous engagement

In February 2017, we published information about our plans to improve the A127 / A130 Fairglen Interchange, and provided opportunities for people to find out more about the project and give us their feedback.

In April/March 2018 we held a public consultation. You can see the consultation report in the documents section below

Long-term plans for Fairglen Interchange

When we publicised information about the A127 / A130 Fairglen Interchange improvements in February 2017, we published two potential designs: one short-term option and one long-term option.

The short-term option being proposed now is designed to provide relief from traffic congestion for up to 15 years, while the long-term option would potentially be necessary after 15 years if traffic grew significantly.

The short-term solution we are consulting on now is fully compatible with the long-term option should that need to be implemented in the future.

The design work on the long-term solution is in its early stages but an overview can be seen below. This long-term solution is currently not funded, and we are not seeking feedback on that option as part of this consultation.

How to find out more about the proposals

Download our A127 / A130 Fairglen Interchange Consultation Brochure below to find out more about:

Who uses the Fairglen Interchange and how?
What are the problems and the scheme objectives?
Effects on traffic movement, journey times and congestion
Economic benefits of the scheme, including the benefit cost ratio
Environmental assessment of the impacts of the proposed scheme
Future-proofing and the need for a long-term solution
The public consultation process, and what will happen next

Copyright information
Maps above are reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.100019602. 2017
Limitation: The drawings above have been prepared by Jacobs on behalf of Essex County Council for the exclusive use of Jacobs’ Client, and are subject to, and issued in accordance with, the provisions of the contract between Jacobs and the Client. Jacobs accepts no liability or responsibility whatsover for, or in respect of, any use or reliance upon, this drawing by any third party.
© Copyright 2018 Jacobs UK Ltd. The concepts and information contained above are the property of Jacobs. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Jacobs constitutes an infringement of copyright

Documents

A127 / A130 Fairglen Consultation Brochure - PDF(5.2MB)

List of locations to pick up a Consultation Brochure - PDF(189.7KB)

Consultation Response Form - PDF(155.1KB)

A127 Corridor for Growth: An Economic Plan - PDF(2.2MB)

Fairglen Interchange Consultation Report 2018 - PDF(1.5MB)