Navigating the A120: Understanding Service Station Signage and Infrastructure Upgrades

Embarking on a journey along the A120 offers a glimpse into the vital arteries of the UK's road network. For drivers, understanding the amenities available and the ongoing efforts to improve this crucial route is paramount for a smooth and efficient travel experience. This comprehensive guide delves into the meaning behind the service station icons you'll encounter on the A120, offering a detailed look at each of the seven official service areas, their facilities, and the significant upgrade project transforming the Braintree to A12 stretch.

Decoding Service Station Icons: What Does Blue Mean?

When you're on the road, particularly on a major route like the A120, clear and concise signage is essential. The colour of the service station icons on maps and digital displays provides a quick visual cue about the type and scale of the facilities on offer. Specifically, a blue icon signifies official motorway services. These are typically larger, more comprehensive service areas, often found at major junctions or along high-speed routes, designed to cater to a wide range of traveller needs.

To provide a clearer understanding, here's a breakdown of the icon colour coding:

The Seven Official Service Areas on the A120

The A120 route is served by seven official service areas, each offering a different set of amenities. Understanding these can help you plan your stops effectively. Below is a detailed look at each service station, including their location, star rating, catering options, shops, amenities, outdoor spaces, charging points, and forecourt facilities.

1. M11 at J8, CM23 5QZ

Status: Welcome Break services

Rating: 3 stars

Catering: Burger King, Chopstix Noodle Bar, KFC, Pret A Manger, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, The Good Breakfast, f'real Milkshakes, Jolly Rancher Slush, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks on the Go, Starbucks Drive Thru

Shops: Little Waitrose & Partners, Top Gift, WHSmith

Amenities: Days Inn, Ramada, Changing Places, Game Zone, Revolution Laundry, Showers

Outdoor Space: Outdoor Exercise Area; Grass areas to left of hotel and right of building

Charging Points: Applegreen Electric 180kW CCS; GRIDSERVE Electric Highway 50kW CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2; Tesla Supercharger 250kW

Forecourt: Shell, The Phat Pasty Co., f'real Milkshakes, Krispy Kreme, Rollover, Starbucks on the Go

2. A120 between the M11 and Braintree, CM24 1PY (limited HGV access)

Status: Service station

Rating: 2½ stars

Catering: McDonald's Drive Thru, Starbucks Drive Thru

Amenities: Holiday Inn Express, Premier Inn

Outdoor Space: Grass bank next to Holiday Inn Express car park; public footpath connections

Charging Points: bp pulse 150kW CCS & 120kW CHAdeMO

Forecourt: BP, M&S Food, Wild Bean Café, Car Wash, Jet Wash, Free Cash Machine

3. A120 between the M11 and Braintree, CM6 1SJ (limited signage)

Status: National Highways rest area

Rating: Service station

Catering: Westbound only: Batesy's Kitchen; Eastbound only: Snak Shak

Amenities: Toilets

Outdoor Space: Small picnic area

4. A120 west of Braintree, CM77 7AB (limited HGV access)

Status: BP Express services

Rating: Service station

Catering: Toby Carvery

Amenities: Holiday Inn Express

Outdoor Space: Tiny grass verges; public footpath connections

Charging Points: bp pulse 150kW CCS & 120kW CHAdeMO

Forecourt: BP, M&S Food, Wild Bean Café, Car Wash, Free Cash Machine

5. A120 Braintree Bypass, CM77 8GG (no HGV access; limited signage)

Status: SGN Retail services

Rating: Service station

Catering: Mulberry Tree Brewers Fayre

Amenities: Premier Inn, Children's Play Area, Revolution Laundry

Outdoor Space: No grass space

Forecourt: Texaco, Co-op Food, Subway, Costa Express, Rollover, Tango Ice Blast, Free Cash Machine

6. A12/A120 at J28, CO4 5YX

Status: BP Express and McDonalds services

Rating: 4½ stars

Catering: McDonald's Drive Thru

Amenities: Children's Play Area

Outdoor Space: Small grass verges next to forecourt; public footpath connections

Charging Points: bp pulse 150kW CCS & 100kW CHAdeMO

Forecourt: BP, M&S Food, Wild Bean Café, Free Cash Machine

7. A120 westbound between Colchester and Harwich, CO7 7SL (limited signage)

Status: Tankerford services

Rating: Service station

Outdoor Space: No grass space

Forecourt: BP, Refuel Market, Costa Express

The A120 Braintree to A12 Upgrade Project

The A120 is a critical economic corridor, and its current single-carriageway status often leads to significant delays and congestion, impacting commuters, freight, residents, and businesses. Recognising this, a major upgrade project is underway to transform the A120 between Braintree and the A12 into a modern dual carriageway. This initiative aims to significantly improve road safety, enhance user satisfaction by reducing delays, support the smooth flow of traffic, and encourage economic growth.

Project Benefits: A Safer, More Efficient A120

The proposed upgrades offer a multitude of benefits:

• Improved Road Safety: A reduction in collisions on the existing A120 and surrounding local roads is a primary objective.
• Enhanced User Satisfaction: Reducing congestion and making journey times more reliable will significantly improve the experience for all road users.
• Smoother Traffic Flow: Increased capacity and reduced incidents will lead to a more resilient road network.
• Economic Growth: Reducing travel delays and improving connectivity will underpin new housing, economic development, and business opportunities.
• Better Environmental Outcomes: The project aims to help reduce road noise in the vicinity.
• Support for Vulnerable Users: Opportunities for improved road crossings for cyclists, walkers, and other vulnerable road users are being considered.
• Construction Efficiency: Building the new route largely away from the current road minimises disruptions through road closures and works.
• Road Network Condition: The new dual carriageway will replace approximately 9 miles of single carriageway that currently requires significant maintenance.

Consultation and Next Steps

Public consultations have been a cornerstone of this project, with significant input received from over 3,000 people in 2017. The overwhelming majority of respondents favoured a complete upgrade, with 80% agreeing that the A120 should become a dual carriageway. Various route options were presented, with Route D being favoured in June 2018. The project's progression involves further analysis and design work, with proposals initially developed by Essex County Council being transferred to National Highways for validation and updating. While no final decision has been made, the project is progressing through government consideration, with updates to be provided by National Highways.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What does the blue colour mean on the A120 service station map?
A blue icon indicates official motorway services, typically offering a comprehensive range of facilities.

Q2: How many official service areas are there on the A120?
There are seven official service areas listed along the A120 route.

Q3: What is the main goal of the A120 Braintree to A12 upgrade?
The primary goal is to upgrade the A120 to a dual carriageway to improve safety, reduce congestion, and boost economic growth.

Q4: Which service station offers Tesla Superchargers?
The Welcome Break services at M11 J8 (CM23 5QZ) offer Tesla Superchargers.

Q5: Are there plans to improve the A120?
Yes, there are significant plans to upgrade the A120 between Braintree and the A12 into a dual carriageway.

Understanding the service station network and the ongoing infrastructure improvements on the A120 empowers drivers to make informed decisions, ensuring a more pleasant and efficient journey. The commitment to upgrading this vital route underscores its importance to the region's connectivity and economic vitality.

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