A £15 million funding boost will finally kickstart long-awaited upgrades to the Fairglen Interchange, a notorious congestion hotspot where the A127, A130, and A1245 meet.
The improvements, aimed at reducing traffic and enhancing safety, are set to begin within weeks as part of a wider £49 million project to transform Essex’s road network.
What does the Fairglen Interchange upgrade include?
The long-overdue scheme will introduce significant improvements, including a new one-way link road allowing drivers to bypass several miles of the A130. This will enable easier access to the A127 and Southend without using the frequently congested Rayleigh Spur roundabout. Additionally, surrounding roundabouts in Rayleigh will undergo enhancements to improve traffic flow.
A key element of the plan is the construction of a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists south of the roundabout, linking existing footpaths and cycleways along the A127. This will provide safer, more efficient routes for non-motorised road users.
The upgrade scheme will include:
- A dedicated off-slip link road between the A130 and southbound A1245
- A dedicated left-turn from A1245 towards Southend A127
- Widening of the westbound A127 off slip
- Installation of a foot and cycleway crossing/bridge on the south side of Fairglen roundabout
- Widening and improvements to the Rayleigh Spur roundabout
Why is the upgrade needed?
The Fairglen Interchange is one of the busiest junctions in south Essex, serving more than 200,000 vehicles daily. Years of heavy congestion have caused delays, frustrated commuters, and raised safety concerns. The improvements aim to tackle these issues by reducing travel times and making the area safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Lillian Greenwood, Labour’s Minister for the Future of Roads, highlighted the project’s importance during a recent visit to south Essex: “I’ve heard that congestion at the Fairglen Interchange and Rayleigh Spur is a major problem, delaying journeys and creating safety risks,” she said. “This scheme will address those concerns and provide long-term benefits for residents and commuters.”
How will the Fairglen project benefit Essex?
Beyond improving daily travel, the Fairglen Interchange upgrade is expected to unlock economic opportunities by supporting job creation and new housing developments. It’s been suggested that the improved infrastructure could help facilitate the construction of up to 60,000 new homes in south Essex by 2043.
“This project is vital for the future growth of the region,” said Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for highways. “Easing congestion, improving accessibility, and enhancing infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians will have a huge impact on businesses, commuters, and local communities.”
Funding and timeline for completion
The Fairglen Interchange overhaul is part of a wider £90 million investment in key road schemes across England. While the Department for Transport’s contribution to the project is set at £15 million, the remaining costs will be covered by Essex County Council. The total cost of the scheme is now estimated at nearly £60 million.
Despite delays in securing funding, the council is confident that work will be completed by 2027. Once finished, the improvements are expected to deliver a smoother, safer, and more efficient travel experience for everyone using the junction.
A temporary inconvenience for long-term gains
While the roadworks may cause some disruption in the short term, the county council insists that the long-term benefits will far outweigh the temporary inconvenience.
“I know there will be some frustration while work is carried out, but within two years, people will start to feel the benefits,” said Lillian Greenwood. “This is a crucial investment in Essex’s future.”
With work set to begin soon, drivers across the county can finally look forward to a long-overdue solution to one of Essex’s biggest traffic bottlenecks.