FOR an entire day 11 days ago, Canvey Island was brought to a standstill by a single accident on just one road.

It was a textbook illustration as to why Canvey is in such severe need of a third access road.

No one can say this crisis was unpredictable or unpredicted.

The island's cry for relief has been heard for many years.

The man best positioned to answer this call is Norman Hume, the Essex county councillor responsible for highways.

In an interview in today's Echo, Mr Hume has been given the chance to outline the county's plans to ease Canvey's dilemma.

Thanks to the interview, at least we now know a bit more about County Hall's strategy for Canvey. There isn't one.

All Mr Hume can offer is hand-wringing, and empty phrases like "we must do all we can".

Far from envisaging a third road, Mr Hume can't even offer such relatively minor improvements as a traffic barrier on Canvey Way, or even speed cameras.

At least it is refreshing to encounter a politician who doesn't pretend to offer what can't or won't be delivered.

But where does that leave Canvey, as it waits despairingly for the next bout of traffic chaos? It is clear the island has low priority status.

Possibly islanders have been too gentle in pressing their problems, which is why they were placed so far down the list for road relief and have fallen off it.

But Canvey has a long tradition of fighting its own battles.

The time has come for a concerted campaign, and consideration of the previously unthinkable - a toll road. Better that than a state of imprisonment.