Furious Castle Point Councillors have voted through a motion demanding that the bosses of Essex Highways meet with them – to be held accountable to the “terrible” state of the borough’s roads.

Boyce ward People’s Independent Party councillor, Rob Lillis, raised a motion in Wednesday night’s meeting of the council, to express the “deep dissatisfaction” the council has with Essex Highways regarding the state of the borough’s roads.

The motion, which was overwhelmingly passed, calls on Essex County Council cabinet member for Highways, Tom Cunningham, and a representative from the highways contractor to attend a meeting where members can “hold them to account for failing in their legal duty.”

Mr Lillis, said: "There is only one person who is accountable for the 'dire state' of our roads and that is Councillor Tom Cunningham and the highways contractor. 

"This Motion was borne out of the frustration that I and my fellow residents have towards the appalling state of our highways. 

"In requesting the presence of the Councillor and representative from the highways contractor, members can clearly evidence to residents that we are listening and acting on their concerns. 

"Ultimately, we wish to ascertain where the vast sums of money that we pay to Essex County Council for such services as highways goes, as it sure doesn't appear to be being spent here in Castle Point."

Mr Lillis added that: "Streetlights on the A13, as one approaches Victoria House roundabout, have been out for years now. 

"These are located on or near a crossing on one of the busiest roads in our Borough and by a school.   

"I and my colleagues have reported this matter to Essex County Council on countless occasions and nothing has been done about it."

Castle Point conservative leader, Beverly Egan, opposed the motion in the meeting, as a futile effort and as neglecting the work the council has put in to address the situation.

Conservative leader Beverly Egan said: “I am disappointed with the tone of this motion, though I understand the frustration.

“Essex county council continues to deliver its statutory duty under the highways act and in fact, in 2024 to 2025 it has invested £39.25 million in improving the conditions of our carriageways, £9 million in footways and £4.5 million in street lighting which completes a programme to upgrade 128,000 old streetlights to LED lanterns.

“Additionally, the council has announced a further 12 million of highway investment in these figures and the details of those is being developed.

“This should all start in April.”