A MULTIMILLION-POUND roundabout aimed at making an accident blackspot safer is to be built on the A120 near Little Bentley.

After a meeting with local councillors, the Highways Agency has announced the roundabout will be built at the Hare Green junction.

Residents and campaigners had voiced concerns it might instead be built at Pellens Corner, where there have also been accidents, but fewer than at Hare Green.

Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin, Tendring Council leader Mick Page, council chief executive Ian Davidson and local councillors met Highways Agency managers at Little Bentley on Friday.

Mr Page said: “It’s very good news the scheme for a roundabout is progressing so well.

“This is what we have been pressing for over a considerable period of time. It seems the agency has taken our views on board in reaching its decision and we will continue to work with it to address all the key issues surrounding the A120 in our district.”

The plans for the roundabout are still being described as “longer-term” with no start date announced for the project.

But Mr Page added: “It does mean we have a positive programme on the table, which is what we have been looking for all along.”

In the meantime, short-term measures have included a 50mph limit between Hare Green and Horsley Cross, enforced by average speed cameras, which are now up and working.

Highways Agency officials told the meeting most drivers were sticking to the new speed limit.

Mr Jenkin said: “Local residents say the speed cameras are having a positive effect, but the danger remains to motorists and closure of the gaps at the Harwich Road junction and Pellens Corner is also essential in addressing this.

“I know this may inconvenience local people, involving diversions to Horsley Cross, or to the newHarwich Road roundabout, but we only get the safety benefits if the Highways Agency also closes the gap at Pellens Corner.

“We are close to having this dangerous stretch of road addressed and I’m not prepared to argue for anything that could continue to claim lives and cause injuries.”

Design work on the roundabout is under way, with surveying on the ground nearing completion.

Another meeting is expected in April or May, so local representatives can be updated on progress.

Highways AgencyAsset development manager Andy Jobling said: “We have designed a scheme to improve access and road safety on the A120 with a roundabout. We intend to locate the roundabout at the Harwich Road junction, as this will help to reduce collisions on the A120 and provide better access to the A120.

“We continue to work on the design of this scheme and hope to hold a public information event in the spring to share our