TRANSPORT bosses have ordered an investigation into Canvey Way, after it was revealed there had been more than 50 accidents on it in the past five years.

Norman Hume, Essex county councillor responsible for highways, said he had asked for a traffic audit by road safety engineers to assess the road after an accident last month left two men seriously injured and caused huge disruption to traffic.

The February 29 accident, like many others before it, brought the island and surrounding areas to a standstill and left motorists fuming as the road was closed for almost seven hours.

Mr Hume said driver error rather than road conditions had been blamed for most of the accidents, which have resulted in one death, 11 serious injuries and 46 minor or non-injury incidents.

Of the 12 most serious accidents, half have been in the past six months.

Mr Hume did not rule out the possibility of a third access road for Canvey in future, but said it was not the council's top priority in the short term.

He said: "I am aware, in the latest incident, the road was closed from 4.30am until 11am. I know about the chaos which ensued.

"A third access road for Canvey is an ambition, but in the meantime we are carrying out a major safety audit to see if there is anything we can do to reduce the number of accidents there.

"I am personally taking this very seriously and can understand why people are becoming impatient."

He added: "There have been 12 death or serious injury accidents in the past five years, but the most worrying thing is six of those have been in the past six months.

"We need to find out what is going on."

Castle Point MP Bob Spink is among those calling for the immediate building of a central barrier on the road between the Sadlers Farm and Waterside Farm roundabouts.

However, Mr Hume ruled this out, saying funds for such a barrier were not available. He also ruled out traditional speed cameras - but suggested average speed cameras like the ones now mooted for the A127 might be a possibility.

Mr Hume said: "They are expensive and we have to see what the audit comes up with, but I am prepared to look at this for Canvey Way.

"This is a very serious situation and we must to do all we can."