Hundreds of protesters opposed to the widening of Priory Crescent are expected to stage a mass rally outside Southend Council's next meeting.

Members of Parklife, the Priory Park Preservation Society and the Camp Bling protest site will gather on the steps outside the Civic Centre at 6.30pm, before the full council meeting on February 22.

The issue of Priory Crescent is not on the meeting's agenda.

Shaun Qureshi, a member of Parklife who also lives at Camp Bling, said people from all walks of life would be there to protest against the widening of the road.

He said: "I think it's phenomenally important. People don't want the road scheme and it's not just about a handful of people at Camp Bling. If people care, they need to come. It's more important now than ever. The scheme hasn't been built, the funding hasn't been given, it's all to play for."

More than 100 people demonstrated their fury at a protest just over two weeks ago at Prittlewell Priory. The event was held to disrupt councillors, who were accepting the British Archeological Developer Award at the site.

Mr Qureshi said: "This thing has been going on for six years and yet people are still really angry and want to do something about it.

"The energy level hasn't gone away. All that has changed is that our resolve has strengthened."

The controversial plans have been agreed by the East of England Regional Assembly and supported by Thames Gateway. Now councillors are waiting on the transport minister to agree funding so the £27million scheme can go ahead.

David Garston, councillor for a sustainable Southend, insisted the road widening was necessary.

He said: "The silent majority of Southend, particularly those in the east of the town, are very very keen to see the road completed."