The Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, visited Castle Point recently before the General Election was called to discuss improving road access to the Borough. He was invited by Rebecca Harris to discuss a potential further access to the A127 or A130 in the north of the Borough and the long called for additional road access to Canvey Island.

Speaking after his visit, Minister Opperman said:

“It was good to be back in the area and having sat in the awful traffic around Castle Point it is obvious why this extra access for Canvey is wanted locally. My door is open. But I would suggest the Council restart their work on the Canvey West Access Task Force because the Department of Transport cannot even begin to consider funding projects like this until the local authority submits a proper business case.”

Rebecca Harris said:

“I brought the Roads Minister down to show him just how much we need extra road access to our Borough. He was stuck in some of the worst traffic we have had this year in the Borough so I think that underlined the point. I hope the Council decides to restart work on the Canvey West Access Taskforce as soon as possible. As soon as a business case is written with all the relevant partners I can then go and put it on desks in Westminster and begin fighting to secure funding. We currently only have three main access routes in and out of the Castle Point and an accident on one of them can easily clog up half the Borough.  I also discussed with him my campaign to massively increase the level of fines utility companies face for overrunning roadworks.”