A NEW bypass for Southend is a “pie in the sky” idea which councils should not be wasting time and money on, according to the leader of Rochford Council.

Southend Council is considering the project as part of its grand plans called Southend 2050.

But Terry Cutmore claims any road coming off the A130 and going through Castle Point and Rochford, to the north of Southend, is unrealistic.

The aim is to improve traffic problems including on the A13 and A127.

Mr Cutmore said: “Where are they going to get the money from?

“A project like this would cost many hundreds of millions of pounds, and I am not sure there are any forms of funding for a project like this.

“For us, the main priority has to be bringing the A127 up to motorway standard.

“It has been discussed and I think it is what needs to happen.

“An improved A127 would reduce many of these problems, and would be more practical than a whole new bypass.

“Another problem, which is a big one for us, is if you build a new road you open yourself up to rim development along the green belt.

“What we need at the moment is possible and practical plans, not just a pie in the sky idea.”

Rayleigh Town Councillor, James Newport, echoed the concerns raised by Mr Cutmore, insisting this is not a plan he would support.

He said: “Personally I would be against any plan for a road like this.

“It would open up the green belt to all future development, that is something we are actively trying to avoid.

“We all suffer from congestion, it is a huge issue but I do not think building a huge bypass is the answer.

“There is no doubt this would cost a lot of money, and that money would have to be recouped somehow, and that’s where developments along the route would come in to play.

“We seem to have an obsession with development in south Essex, in terms of homes and roads, but a road should not be the immediate answer, what about improving public transport?

“Making public transport more viable to the public?”

The bypass is part of Southend’s 2050 strategy, improvements at busy junctions like Kent Elms have been a priority, but the town’s rapid growth have resurrected bypass plans. Southend Council defended its decision to look longer term.