CANVEY independent councillors have called for controversial plans for a £12million "road to nowhere" to be scrapped.

Neville Watson, a councillor for Winter Gardens, said the idea to extend Roscommon Way around the south of the island should be abandoned. He says the money should be spent on a third road off the island or the widening of Canvey Way.

Peter May, a councillor for Canvey Central, dubbed the proposed new route "a road to nowhere". He said: "The extension will only help people in one area of Canvey.

"It will not alleviate the problem, which effects the whole of Castle Point."

Grace Watson, a councillor for Canvey North, added: "It is not about losing the £12million, it is about spending the money in the right way.

"Too many people have died and it would be nice to have some reassurance that something is going to be done."

But council leader Pam Challis said the money could not be spent on anything other than Roscommon Way.

She said: "I am astonished the opposition of this council wants to just lose £12million for the benefit of Canvey.

"This money has been allocated to Castle Point Council by the Government and that money is ring-fenced for that particular scheme."

The extension of Roscommon Way is being funded by the Thames Gateway Development Corporation ,which believes the new road will help to regenerate Canvey and relieve congestion around the island.

The first phase, which will see Roscommon Way linked to Haven Road, is due to begin in 2011.

The second phase will see the loop around the south west corner of the island completed by joining Haven Road with Thorney Bay Road, which it is hoped will take heavy goods vehicles away from residential streets.