Canvey residents are being asked to help create a piece of artwork to mark the development of a new road.

The interactive sculpture will be made from willow and is being created in connection with the £12million Roscommon Way extension.

Work is currently under way on the road linking Northwick Road to Haven Road, nicknamed the “road to nowhere” by some sceptical residents.

Islanders will be encouraged to leave their thoughts on the road on pieces of paper, which will form a lining inside the sculpture by Derbyshire based artist Laura Ellen Bacon. She will be meeting residents at the Castle Point Regeneration Shop in Canvey’s Knightswick centre next week.

A temporary sculpture will be created within the regeneration shop and the ideas expressed could be used to influence a more permanent piece of public art as part of the Roscommon Way scheme.

The sculpture will be made from woven willow wood.

Jeremy Lucas, county council’s cabinet member for heritage, culture and the arts said: “I’m delighted to see the creative and intuitive hands of Laura Ellen Bacon will be bringing the imagination of willow art to the people of Canvey.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for residents to leave their comments and opinions in such a public and creative way.

“The shop will provide the perfect setting for the willow sculpture as a focal point for residents to convey their thoughts about the Roscommon Way Extension scheme.”

A spokesman for the county council said a tiny proportion of the budget for the road was being spent on the project, but could not give an exact amount.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Island Independent Party, said: “It seems odd when we’re in harsh economic times to spend money on something like this.

“I would rather see the money spent on a barrier to stop motorcyclists getting on Canvey Wick as the new road will open the area up to even more riders. Maybe they will call it the nowhere sculpture, to go with the road to nowhere.”

Ms Bacon will be at the regeneration shop between 10.30am and 3.30pm on Wednesday, October 6 and Thursday, October 7.