I was recently contacted by concerned members of St Mary's Church in Benfleet who had been told by Castle Point Borough Council that Essex Police had advised them they couldn't support them closing the Anchor mini roundabout at the junction of Essex Way and Benfleet High Road for the public to gather for the wreath laying service on Remembrance Sunday this year.

The police were concerned about maintaining access to Canvey Island. I understand that access needs to me maintained in the event of an emergency if there is a problem with Canvey Way, but this is a very popular event where hundreds of Benfleet residents come to remember and pay their respects every year and there needed to be a way found for it to go ahead.

I raised it with the Essex Police Borough Commander and the local Essex County Councillor. I am pleased that Essex Highways and Castle Point Borough Council have now worked out a way that the event can take place by manually controlling traffic to go both ways in phases on the one way system by Benfleet Station when the roundabout is closed.

I understand that the wreath laying ceremony will now take place just as it has in previous years.

Rebecca Harris