Residents on Essex island with just two roads in and out left fuming after calls for a third road 'fall on deaf ears'

Residents are left fuming after calls for a third road 'falls on deaf ears'

The residents of Canvey Island, a reclaimed island in Castle Point, are calling out for action from councils as traffic on the island has become unbearable. Canvey Island currently has two crossings onto the island, the A130 Canvey Way (connecting to the A13/A130 at Sadler's Farm) and the B1014 (going into Benfleet).

With the population of people living on the island, residents believe that a third road and better transport links are long overdue. For decades, the residents have been calling for change, and asking for a new road onto the island to improve traffic conditions and connectivity.

Back in 2021, the then-council leader Andrew Sheldon said he was convening a task force to look specifically at delivering a third access point, which would ideally require the building of a new bridge and road. The West Access Task Force was set to implement better transport links onto the island, and build a third road onto Canvey.

Since then, the Canvey Island Independent Party took over, and no progress has been made into the third access point. This has caused a lot of stress and worry for residents. Julia Williams said: "I try to avoid going out weekends now purely due to the traffic at weekends."

Ian Mayhew said: "It's always constant chaos and we have needed a third road for decades now, but always falling on deaf ears." Jill McGrath added: It appears our elected representatives are doing nothing to promote a third road for Canvey and the surrounding areas.

"If at any time residents needed to vacate the Island in the case of an emergency it would not be possible by transport. It takes just one incident to bring the whole area including Benfleet, Canvey Island and a large area of Castle Point to a standstill."

The lack of better transport links is also impacting those needing to use emergency services. Pearl Foskett said: Having to attend lots of hospital appointments, I am often held up. I try to book appointments that avoid the rush hours.

"This isn’t always possible, and like everyone else who gets stuck in traffic, I find it all so stressful, which doesn’t help my heath problems. We really do need another way off the island."

Councillor Andrew Sheldon responded to the feelings of residents: "I am incredibly frustrated, as residents had all of this optimism - however nothing has happened."

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said in response: "We support the concept of enhancing connectivity to Canvey Island. However, a project of this scale would need significant central government funding and support from the Department for Transport (DfT).

"Proposals are being considered with partners to agree what the solution needs to be, as and when funding opportunities occur. This could include improvements to the existing and future road network, sustainable and public transport options. These considerations will be necessary to help meet the planned housing, population and job growth for South Essex as a whole.”