Essex County Council have announced plans to alleviate congestion around Waterside Farm that include widening Somnes Avenue to provide an extra lane and options to either dual Canvey Way, or introduce a third ‘tidal flow’ lane.

Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris, who along with County Councillor Ray Howard has been lobbying Essex County Council on alleviating congestion on Canvey for over a year, met with Essex County Council Leader David Finch and the Councillor in charge of Highways, Rodney Bass, to look over the long awaited plan at Waterside Farm on Monday.

Rebecca said:

“Canvey Way is a very important entrance and exit to our borough. When there is a jam at Waterside Farm it can snarl up traffic across the whole of Castle Point.

“I am still dedicated to getting a third road for Canvey but both of these main options would be a good stop gap that will alleviate congestion for residents. This is still just a plan and there is a lot of work still to be done, but I know how important this is to my borough and I will keep on working to ensure Essex County Council deliver one of these options until the last inch of tarmac is laid!

“I will be talking to the Chancellor about supporting Essex County Council with funding for these improvements so that work can start on Somnes Avenue as soon as possible.”

Cllr Rodney Bass, the Essex County Cabinet Member for Highways said:

“We recognise the importance of access onto and off Canvey and we are looking at ways of funding a range of highways capacity improvement options for Canvey Way and Somnes Avenue. These options include consideration of different levels of improvement, which will help inform future investment decisions and put the council in a good position to bid for external funding.”