TRANSPORT Minister David Jamieson visited Takeley on Thursday to mark the official start of work on the A120 Stansted to Braintree dual carriageway.

Mr Jamieson witnessed the signing of a partnering agreement between BB Major Projects, the contractor for the £75m design and build contract, and Essex County Council, who will work together to deliver a scheme which aims to ease congestion and bring benefits for local communities.

The scheme is a 100 per cent Highways Agency grant-funded scheme in conjunction with the county council.

Mr Jamieson said: "The new A120 will bring great improvements for people whose local villages will be safer, cleaner and more pleasant to live in.

"An estimated 80 per cent of traffic currently passing east-west through Takeley is expected to use the new road.

"Other nearby villages will also benefit by having an estimated 70 per cent of traffic removed from their communities."

He added: "This scheme, together with the M11 Stansted slip roads contract which began recently, will greatly improve transport in this busy region, demonstrating our commitment to improving the road network for our customers."

Mr Jamieson also visited Takeley village hall to see displays of archaelogical finds from a dig associated with the road scheme.