Islanders call for government to build new road

People living on an Essex island have pleaded with the government to build them a new access road.

Canvey Island and its 38,000 residents are served by two routes, but Castle Point Borough Council said these roads experienced "severe congestion" at peak times.

The authority has suggested a new link crossing the water to The Manorway, at Stanford-le-Hope, could ease traffic issues and provide better access to jobs.

The Department for Transport has been contacted for comment.

Senior councillors have written to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, urging the government to fund a study assessing the viability of a third road.

The existing single-carriageway roads - the A130 and B1014 - converge at the Waterside Farm roundabout.

The independent-led council has warned the A130 will soon exceed capacity at rush hour, unless action is taken.

But it has conceded that building its preferred route, linking up with The Manorway, would be challenging.

"Previous studies highlighted that all route options cross environmentally significant areas," the council said, in a report published in May.

"There are also significant engineering design issues, given the need for a raised elevation to mitigate against flood risk and to cross a navigable river linking to the Thames."

Council leader Dave Blackwell said: "A third access to Canvey Island is critical for our residents and businesses.

"It will unlock economic opportunities, improve resilience and address long-standing transport challenges."

Canvey Island is home to a large gas storage facility and is near to the expanding London Gateway port.

Rob Foulger, a lorry driver based at the port, said regularly congested journeys were holding back growth and frustrating locals.

"It just takes a breakdown, roadworks at Benfleet High Street or anything like that and the whole area is gridlocked," he said.

A council spokesman said it would continue to lobby for the scheme to be among the forthcoming Greater Essex mayor's priorities.

The government pledged £20m to Canvey Island in 2025 as part of its Plan for Neighbourhoods.

A board was then set up to decide how that money might be spent, potentially including a new road.

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