The Labworth Car Park on Canvey seafront is to receive a £740,000 upgrade thanks to a grant from Boris Johnson’s new ‘Getting Building Fund’ for infrastructure. The fund was set up to provide grants for small ‘shovel ready’ infrastructure projects that would help support jobs and stimulate local economies.

The project will see the car park being expanded and resurfaced with semi-permeable material to improve drainage. Disabled access will also be improved and new electric vehicle charging points will be installed. Work will begin in the Autumn, alongside other works to improve the seafront and Thorney Bay area funded by a £1.2 million grant from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund which the Island had already been awarded last year.

Castle Point Borough Council Leader Cllr Norman Smith who submitted the bid for grant funding, said: “When Boris called for shovel ready projects this one fit the bill perfectly and I pushed hard to get it into the first phase of funding. This extra funding will have a real positive impact on our seafront.  The works will begin at the end of the season – Thank you Boris!”

Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris said: “Thank you Prime Minister! Keep it up, more funding this way please.”