A tremendous potential within Canvey 

 

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Castle Point, paid a visit to the Canvey Island Town Council's new offices. Julian was accompanied by Joe Cooke and Tony Wright, both champions for Fairtrade.

 

Julie Abel, Town Clerk, was their host.  Julie said "these are exciting times for Canvey Island. The economic viability of Canvey promises a tremendous future. We should be able to really make things happen here."

 

"Amongst the projects we are taking on are the renovation of the memorial gardens at the seafront, improvements to the town centre, and the skateboard park at waterside Farm".

 

Julian Ware-Lane is an advocate for decentralisation of power: "town councils bring democracy a lot closer to the people. This council should be able to make a real difference. There is scope for negotiation of the utilisation of powers within Castle Point."

 

Julian added "Canvey's distinct personality lends itself very comfortably to having a town council. This is really a unique place with unique issues."

 

Julian has campaigned for the tidying up of the seafront memorial gardens: "I look forward to seeing the completed work – this is a much neglected area that should be a real asset to the island."

 

Tony Wright said: "this was a useful visit and I was pleased to note that Fairtrade status for Canvey is under consideration."

 

"I was most impressed with the High Street facility and most grateful to Julie for her hospitality and obvious expertise" added Joe Cooke.

 

Julie Abel commissioned the refurbishment of the town council offices and oversaw its implementation. The offices opened in April of this year, although Julie has been in post since January.

 

Julie is not just the Town Clerk, she also is the responsible financial officer; Canvey Island Town Council has an annual budget of £266,000. The population of Canvey makes it one of the biggest town councils in the country. The six wards on the island elect eleven councillors.

 

 

Impassable pavement in Firfield Road

 

"There is a cruel irony in that the Council want to develop the adjacent land against residents objections, yet cannot maintain a short stretch of pavement" says Julian Ware-Lane eyeing the brambles and broken pavement in Firfield Road, Daws Heath.

 

This is a not a story of recent neglect: "I asked residents how long this had been like this – donkeys' years was their response" said Julian.

 

Firfield Road, off Daws Heath Road, borders the recently threatened green belt. The kerb is broken in places. There are deep cracks and weeds in the pavement. Brambles and shrubs overhang and impede the path. It is a stretch of walkway that is all but impossible to traverse, and presents a considerable number of hazards.

 

"Here we have a perfect example of neglect in a quiet corner of the Borough of Castle Point. It is not an isolated example, but it could be the worst" the Labour Parliamentary candidate stated. "I nearly tore my suit having the photos taken, I did not attempt to walk from end to end for fear of tripping" added Julian.

 

This stretch of pavement has no houses and would not be as well-used as the other side, yet this does not excuse its shabby state. It is an eyesore. The residents are justly aghast at this situation. "I hope the Council fixes this before someone trips and hurts themselves."

 

"I think Castle Point residents deserve neat and unobstructed pavements." added Julian.

 

"My canvassing has highlighted quite a few 'streets of shame' when it comes to poor pavements and shabby road surfaces. This is simply not acceptable."

 

"It is about time that the Council got their priorities right. Let's have neat streets, not excessive councillor allowance rises."