FRUSTRATED residents have launched a petition calling for a taskforce to be set back up to push for a long-dreamed of third road off Canvey.

The campaign has been launched by a number of residents who have set up a Facebook group to “bring back the Canvey Third Access Taskforce”.

The Canvey Third Access Taskforce was set up by former Castle Point councillor and former leader Andrew Sheldon.

This was to look specifically at building a “new bridge and road” and the councillor stated it was a matter of “when not if”.

However, not long after Mr Sheldon set up the taskforce, he lost his seat in the May 2022 election, and the Conservatives lost their majority.

Residents are now uniting in a bid to get this taskforce set back up and push the “needed” third road.

Cliff Larkin, one of the Canvey residents behind the Facebook group and petition, said: “Everyone who lives in Castle Point knows the importance of securing third access for Canvey.

“We need action. Bringing back the Canvey Third Access Taskforce that was being set up for the Summer of 2022, but that never happened, is by far the best way to do this.

“We know a third access may take years to get built, but the sooner the groundwork starts, the better.

“Our MP has been pushing for this and is on board, and we know all the organisations that would need to be involved had a meeting with the council in April last year.

“Since then, nothing has been done. We know things slip off the agenda and the council is very busy, but now is the time to get it properly up and running.

“We don’t care about party politics. We are ordinary residents who just want to see it done.” Canvey residents have been pushing for a third road for years, due to the “constant traffic jams and long delays to travel on and off the island at peak times”.

The petition was set up just days ago, and already has more than 300 signatures.

To sign, visit https://bit.ly/3mTm83z