Colchester MP Pam Cox and North Essex and Harwich MP Bernard Jenkin recently met with Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook to discuss funding for the A1331 link road, which is vital for supporting the development of 7,500 new homes.

Pam Cox expressed satisfaction with the meeting, reiterating the need for adequate infrastructure to accompany new housing developments and indicating plans to meet with Homes England to advocate for funding.

Concerns have been raised regarding the funding for the final phase of the project, which remains pending.

Sir Bernard highlighted the Tendring-Colchester Borders Garden Community project as a leading model of cooperation between local councils and political parties.

The minister expressed a desire to arrange a follow-up meeting with Homes England to further advocate for the project.

Funding for the project hinges on a grant from Homes England, which necessitates the prompt submission of necessary documentation.

The meeting, led by Sir Bernard Jenkin, was described as positive, with a strong emphasis on the need for timely funding from Homes England to ensure the project's progress.

Jenkin underscored the importance of the link road for the Tendring-Colchester Borders Garden Community project, warning that planning permission could be denied if infrastructure development is not prioritized.

The total cost of the A1331 link road project is expected to exceed £90 million, with the first phase involving the construction of 1.8 km of dual carriageway and three junctions.

This infrastructure project, carried out by Octavius Infrastructure, aims to connect the A120 and A133 and is projected to take approximately 20 months, with a completion date set for April 2026.

The meeting also included Colchester’s Labour MP Pam Cox, representatives from Latimer/Clarion, and County Councillor Tom Cunningham from Essex County Council.

During a January debate at Westminster Hall, Jenkin highlighted the link road's completion as crucial for the housing project, expressing skepticism about the government's assertion that existing infrastructure could support an additional 5,000 homes.