MOTORISTS across Castle Point will benefit from a share of £24million funding for road improvements.

The money could be used to tackle blackspots such as Canvey Way, where accidents have brought the island to a standstill.

Under the new Essex County Council scheme, local councils will form panels with residents to decide exactly how the money is spent.

The county council says this will give power to local councils and the cash can be spent where it is needed most.

Council bosses decided to try the idea after seeing it at work in West Sussex.

Norman Hume, councillor with responsibility for highways and transport, said: "I can't see why we shouldn't be able to emulate that success in Essex.

"We reviewed our operations and decided we could do better at delivering priorities people want locally.

"Neighbourhood panels will decide how the money is spent provided the plans are not off standard, dangerous or aiding congestion."

The county council also plans to introduce "highway rangers" who will patrol the county cleaning road signs, weeding and doing other maintenance duties on the county's roads.

There will also be "highways surgeons" who will advise Castle Point and other authorities on the work they would like to see done.

Castle Point is one of three authorities across the country to trial the new scheme, the South Essex Area Forum announced yesterday.

The borough will join Brentwood and Colchester to trial the scheme where up to £24 million could be shared between 12 local authorities in Essex.