Castle Point Council was today eagerly awaiting the final budget from County Hall to see if vital road improvements will get the go-ahead.

The borough has submitted a local transport plan for urgently-needed work and has already had positive feedback from English Nature and the Environment Agency.

But the final decision over cash rests with the county council which meets to decide its annual budget on Wednesday.

Brian Weller, chairman of Castle Point's highways committee, said: "Approximately 63 per cent of our working population leaves the borough every day to go to work and a significant proportion travel by car.

"In order to get a reduction in such commuter levels, the plan seeks to protect existing employment land and to create opportunities for small scale businesses and employment outside the employment areas and town centres.

"Provision has been made for 50 acres of employment land on Canvey with a further 25 acres reserved for long term use.

"It is hoped this allocation will not only divert traffic from more distant destinations but, because of its local nature, will encourage a shift away from the car to walking and cycling."

He added: "In the past, Castle Point and particularly Canvey, has suffered from a lack of local shopping facilities which encouraged shoppers to travel outside the borough.

"But the local plan has encouraged the creation of new retail facilities on the island which has affected travel patterns locally.

"Further shopping facilities are to be provided and it is anticipated that greater changes in travel destinations and mode can be achieved."

The transport plan also calls for improved roads on key public transport routes to improve the flow of traffic, particularly on Canvey.

But it recognises that while a more reliable bus service could be delivered, it will be very difficult to improve the railway system.

Councillor Weller said: "We have a transport plan which outlines what we would like to do but we have to wait and see what funding we will receive. We are hopeful because we have had very productive meetings so far with County Hall.

"The county seems to be sympathetic about the problems we face."

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