It was constructed as a new arterial road project in the 1920s, linking Romford with Southend-on-Sea, replacing the older A13.

[2] Major junctions follow the layout similar to motorways, being served by high-level or low-level roundabouts accessed via slip roads, except for the straight flyover at the junction with Hall Lane, Upminster at about 3.5 km east of Gallows Corner.

The next junction is 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the Halfway House, for the Dunton (Ford centre) and Laindon exit.

[3] The road was formally opened by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester on 25 March 1925.

[4] Due to initial problems with newly constructed embankments along the line of the road, there were problems with surfacing which subsequently led Clement Attlee to complain that it was "one of the worst pieces of main road in West Essex.

[7] During WW2 the A127 was used to store army vehicles and equipment prior to the D-Day invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944.

In 2000 plans were announced to dual an 800 m stretch of the A1159 comprising Priory Crescent and upgrade the Cuckoo Corner junction connecting it to the A127.

[10] The road scheme has faced controversy due to its location over the Royal Saxon tomb in Prittlewell grave site and environmental loss and was the site of an anti-road protest camp known as Camp Bling.