The dualled A120 has tunnels to make life safer for badgers

Highway Agency chief executive Archie Robertson said the dualling of the A120 would bring major environmental and safety benefits.

It would remove a lot of traffic from the villages of Takeley, Little Canfield and Great Dunmow and make the toute safer and more reliable.

The first phase of the improvements opened last year.

"I am delighted to be here for the completion of this important route," he said at the opening ceremony at Braintree on Friday.

Badger tunnels

Essex County Council chairman Chris Manning-Press said the number of villages which are bypassed and the communities that are going to be saved from the noise and the traffic was very impressive

"All I want now is for this to go right the way through to the A12," he said.

The latest 15-mile improvement links the M11 at junction 8 with the Braintree bypass at a new junction with the A131, south of Braintree.

Recycling and innovative environmental features are a major part of the scheme.

There are six tunnels for badgers and a deer fence.