THURROCK'S biggest buisnesses and most senior politicians are joining forces in a bid to secure additional funds needed to widen the A13.

Making the road a six-lane carriageway through Thurrock - where it is currently just four lanes, between Tilbury and the Manoryway turn off - is thought to be vital in enabling Thurrock’s forecast growth.

And the government is expected to announce massive infrastructure funding initiatives in the next few weeks.

Peter Jones, from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and John Kent, leader of Thurrock Council have written to Baroness Susan Kramer, Minister of State, at the Department of Transport.

Ian Cochrane, Managing Director at Thames Oilport and Vopak, Charles Meaby the general manager at London Gateway, Perry Glading, Chief Operating Officer at the Port of Tilbury and chairman of the Thurrock Business Board and bosses at intu Lakeside have all written to the minister, too.

Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price and Stephen Metcalfe, the South Basildon and East Thurrock MP are also writing to the government.

London Gateway has already pledged to contribute £10million to the widening project.

Mr Jones and Mr Kent’s joint letter reads: "As you know, the A13 connects the new London Gateway port and logistics park and the 400 acre Thames Enterprise Park to the M25 and London. It is also a vital link between growth in Basildon and along Thames Gateway South Essex.

"Businesses and local authorities across Thurrock and Thames Gateway back the widening scheme and our call through the Growth Deal process for the Government to make a firm commitment to the £80m of funding towards it which would create certainty and confidence for potential investors."