The public have had their say on the multi-million pound upgrade – and their preferred choice has been released by Highways England.

In the first of two public consultations, just under half (49%) chose ‘Option 5F’. Under these plans, a new two-lane loop road will be created for traffic leaving the M25 onto the A12, a short section of the M25 will be widened, and the eastbound A12 interchange at the junction will be redesigned to reduce congestion.

Highways England will now proceed with these plans for junction 28 on the M25, rejecting the other two. The overhaul is designed to improve traffic and cut the risk of accidents.

Kevin Bentley, deputy leader at Essex County Council, said he was “delighted”.

He said: “It’s a common sense choice which will help cut costly delays, reduce congestion and deliver value for money.

“I’m sure the announcement will be welcomed by many across the county, and no doubt the country, as the M25 is a key route for so many.

“These improvements will offer a vital boost to businesses and residents by increasing the reliability of journeys.

“This is a real sign that Essex is open for business as we continue to build a modern transport network.”

Option 5F includes six key points:

• Create a new two-lane loop road for traffic travelling from the M25 to the A12

• Works on the A12 eastbound to maintain existing access to Maylands Golf Course

• Provide an overbridge at the A12 eastbound exit road to allow the proposed loop road to join the A12 eastbound carriageway

• Reconfigure the A12 to accommodate two lanes joining the A12 eastbound from the proposed loop road

• Widen the M25 anti-clockwise carriageway to provide proposed exit road

• Provide a bridge over the M25 anti-clockwise entry road to facilitate new loop road

Piotr Grabowiecki, project manager at Highways England, said: “We can now move on to developing a detailed design for the upgrade.”

A total of 228 people responded to the consultation between November 2016 and January 2017.

More than 90% said improvement was needed.

A second public consultation takes place in early 2018.