LORRIES could be banned from overtaking on the A12 following an inquiry into the future of the road.

LORRIES could be banned from overtaking on the A12 following an inquiry into the future of the road.

But the road will not be upgraded to a three-lane motorway after it was heard there would be “little prospect” of Government funding being made available.

The inquiry, commissioned by Essex County Council, also called for highways officers to deal with the aftermath of accidents, gates in the central reservation to clear congestion after serious accidents and an overall upgrade of the road.

Council leader Lord Hanningfield said the Hatfield Peverel to Marks Tey stretch was almost “pre-war” in its design and condition and a temporary reduction to 60mph and a ban on HGV overtaking could reduce congestion.

Sir David Rowlands, the former Secretary of State for Transport who headed up the commission that heard from hundreds of witnesses during the inquiry, said the overtaking ban was one way of confronting the problems on the road.

He said: “We think there's a strong case for a pilot and an equally strong case for introducing a trial 60mph limit on that stretch.”

Sir David also said the formation of an “A12 Alliance” including both Essex and Suffolk County Councils and other key stakeholders such as the emergency services could be the key to improving the road.

A Highways Agency spokesperson said it would study the report and work with regional partners - including the county council - to consider the recommendations it makes, along with other improvements the agency wishes to deliver on the trunk road and motorway network in the east of England.