A £15MILLION cashpot could pave the way for a new crossing at a notorious trouble spot.

Two Tory councillors want to tap into the Government funding for a “greener” transport network to quell residents’ fears about Kent Elms corner, Westcliff.

The busy junction, where the A127 bisects Bridgwater Drive and Rayleigh Road, has been the subject of endless calls for improvements over the last decade.

The only crossing is a bridge linked by two stairways, which makes it impossible for some pensioners, people in wheelchairs and parents with prams to cross safely.

However, Tory councillors James Courtenay and Mark Flewitt, who represent wards on either side of the junction, believe the Government windfall could finally hold the answer.

Mr Courtenay, a councillor for Blenheim Park, said: “There has been a lot of talk, but the time is right to find a way forward.

“I think this money is something we could use to make it happen.

“There needs to be options other than the bridge. It is a Sixties solution to a 2011 problem.”

In July, Southend Council was told it had been successful in its bid for £4.8million from the Government’s local sustainable transport fund.

Almost £1million of that money will be paid into the council’s bank account before April.

That sum will be topped up by another £4.1million from the council’s own transport funds, plus £3.5million from c2c and Network Rail, £700,000 of European funding, £350,000 from cycling charities and other smaller contributions which add up to £15million.

Yet no firm plans have been announced for the cash, although Whitehall only agreed to dish out its share on the condition it was used to encourage “greener” ways of travelling.

Mr Courtenay said a new crossing at Kent Elms would encourage more people to travel to the Kent Elms Health Centre and Kent Elms Library on foot, therefore fitting the greener transport criteria.

He claimed St Laurence councillor Mr Flewitt, who used to be the councillor responsible for transport, had already ordered a report from officers detailing what changes could be made.

He added: “I expect that report to be ready within the next few months.

“We don’t want to make promises we can’t keep, but we also want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.”