CASTLE Point Council insists it will not be “held to ransom” over the price of land after it failed to secure ownership of a bookmarked route for a huge relief road project.

Nine years after plans were approved, Canvey’s Roscommon Way, dubbed the road to nowhere, could remain just that with plans to complete the multi-million pound project seemingly in jeopardy

A completed Roscommon Way, linking Canvey Road and Western Esplanade, would ease the island’s congestion, diverting traffic away from the town centre.

But with two thirds completed the council has been dealt a major blow after the proposed route for the third phase was blocked by the addition of new mobile homes at Thorney Bay Caravan Park.

Jeff King, owner of Thorney Bay Caravan Park, has admitted he is willing to enter discussions with Castle Point Council.

Castle Point councillor for the Canvey Independence Party, Dave Blackwell said: “They do not learn, and the public do not think they are fit for purpose either.

“The Roscommon Way route should have been tied up a long time ago, regardless if it was going to be developed or not.

“That land should have been set aside and a legal agreement signed, now it really is a road to nowhere.

“Jeff King will be thinking, what do I get out of this? And rightfully so.

“He is in the driving seat right now and will dictate what happens to that land.

“If you think about it, he is selling those mobile homes at £300,000 apiece, and how many does he have on that bit of land?”

Castle Point Council has insisted it will not be held to to ransom over the land, and have asked Essex County Council to take action to protect the proposed route.

David Marchant, Castle Point chief executive, said: “Castle Point Council continues to provide good and valued services to the community, any suggestion that the council is failing in any way is strenuously denied.

“With regard to Roscommon Way, no Castle Point Council will not be held to ransom over the cost of land. Questions regarding programming of the project past and future need to be addressed to Essex County Council as the highway authority with responsibility for roads and their construction.

“In asking Essex County Council to take action to protect the line of phase 3 of Roscommon Way, Castle Point Council is acting on behalf of residents to ensure that the completion of Roscommon Way can be achieved to assist in relieving traffic congestion on Canvey Island.”