ANGRY protesters are joining forces to fight back against plans for an expansion of a chemical storage site.

The group will meet tomorrow (Tuesday) from noon in Haven Road, Canvey to stop the plans by chemical storage firm Oikos.

Furious campaigners are battling against its proposals to more than double the amount of fuel stored at its plant on the island.

Residents say they are worried there appears to be no evacuation procedure in place if there’s an emergency.

They also fear there will be an increase in traffic.

Documentary maker Jessi Gutch, 29, from south east London is co-ordinating the rally after researching and working with residents.

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She thinks the site is too near to households.

She said: “We should be investing in more renewable energy and it just feels like this is not the answer.

“It’s not as if it will create lots of jobs so I do not know what the community will gain out of this.

“It doesn’t seem right to me knowing a lot of the time these sites are far away from residents but this one is very close to residents.”

Canvey resident John Webb who has lived on the island most of his life also blasted the plans.

He said: “This is a protest by islanders against greed, this is not in the national interest at all and the firm’s profits were fine before Covid so there’s no reason why it can’t carry on as it is.

Echo: Plans - the existing site Plans - the existing site

“We have no evacuation procedure if there is an emergency and it will see an increase in traffic and road haulage.”

Tony Woodward, General Manager of Oikos Storage Ltd, said: “This project will also enable Oikos to continue to play a vital role in the transition to sustainable fuels, that will be important as the UK prepares to become net-zero in the coming decades.

“There is a clear need to ensure the best use is made of the existing critical piece of national infrastructure that is the Oikos facility in respect of its contribution to the UK’s fuel supply and distribution system.

“Oikos has a highly trained workforce and an excellent safety record and we take safety extremely seriously, not just for our staff working on site but for our neighbours and residents on the island.”