COUNCIL chiefs are hoping to secure Government cash for a number of road schemes, including imp-rovements to the A127.

The south Essex schemes are expected to cost more than £200million over the next five years, but the Government’s allocation for the entire East of England is just £80million.

Southend Council is bidding for cash for three schemes: l Improvements on the A127, from the borough boundary to the town centre, including new junctions at Kent Elms and the Bell l Improvements to the town centre and seafront to make the areas more user-friendly for both pedestrians and motorists l Improve access to South-end Airport by resurfacing Eastwoodbury Lane to Manners Way.

In all, the East of England Regional Assembly will have to decide, by February, which of 35 transport schemes, across an area from Norfolk to Bedfordshire, should be given a high priority. The overall cost of the three Southend schemes would be more than £60million, but Anna Waite, Southend councillor responsible for transport, admitted they would not all be backed.

She said: “This is a difficult situation, but I think Southend and south Essex should be a special case because of the years of under investment in the infrastructure.”

Long-term proposals for after 2014 include a possible bypass for east Southend, between Shoebury and Roch-ford and a third access road for Canvey.

Canvey county and borough councillor Ray Howard said: “Castle Point Council is now pushing for improved access to the island and it is worrying this could be a long time in the future.

“I have obtained details of the cost of dualling Canvey Way which would cost £90million on its own, which shows the situation which we have reached.”