Works are set to get underway to reduce the speed limit on a stretch of the A127 as part of a project to improve air quality and road safety.

Roadside tests have shown that a section of the A127 between east and west Basildon exceeds national air quality safe limits for nitrogen dioxide.

To reduce exhaust emissions and improve air quality, Essex County Council is reducing the speed limit from national speed limit to 50mph on the A127.

Vehicles’ engines work more efficiently at about 50mph and can reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions from car exhausts by up to 20 per cent.

Cllr Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council’s Cabinet member for infrastructure, said: “Reducing potentially harmful vehicle emissions is vitally important, not only in protecting the environment, but also for the health of our residents.

“Air quality is linked to a number of health problems and is estimated to cost the UK about than £20billion every year.

“We all have a part to play in protecting the planet and, where possible, I would also encourage people to consider swapping some car journeys for more sustainable travel such as walking, cycling or using public transport.”

The new limit will be in place on both carriageways between the existing 40mph speed limit near the Fortune of War roundabout.

This will stretch approximately 470m east of the Pound Lane (westbound) and Cranfield Park Road (eastbound) junctions.

The new 50mph speed limit will come into force as soon as the works commence on Monday, January 27.

Overnight works to introduce the new limit, which include replacing road signs and installing average speed cameras, is planned to take approximately six weeks.

Temporary lane restrictions will be in place between 9pm and 5am to enable crews to work safely at the roadside, with traffic reduced to one lane overnight.

Details of the road closures are still being finalised and information will be available online shortly at: www.essex.gov.uk/airquality.