Written question asked by Bob Spink (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 October 2007. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Monday, 29 October 2007 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Roads: Canvey Island

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on the feasibility study into a new access road for Canvey Island; what assessment she has made of the (a) safety, (b) congestion, (c) regeneration and (d) environmental impacts of providing such an access road; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The feasibility study for an additional access road to Canvey Island is not at present a matter for assessment by the Secretary of State but one for consideration by the local planning and transport authorities. I am aware that the local highway authority, Essex county council, is continuing their investigation of such a proposed road scheme.Should the council decide in principle to promote such a scheme, it would need to obtain the region's agreement to prioritise the scheme for funding within the East of England regional funding allocation for major transport schemes. The council would then need to submit a detailed major scheme business case for the scheme, in line with departmental guidance, for consideration and assessment by the Department.

Secondary information