ALMOST 1,000 people have signed a petition demanding a third road for Canvey, following an accident that brought the island to a standstill last week.

Calls for immediate improvements to Canvey Way and an extra access road continue to be made following the accident on Friday morning, which left a 61-year-old man in intensive care with multiple broken bones.

Police have confirmed the man's condition is no longer considered life threatening, but he is still on a ventilator.

A 28-year-old man who sustained severe leg injuries is continuing to recover in Basildon Hospital.

Following the accident, which left the road closed for nearly seven hours, Castle Point MP Bob Spink tabled a series of parliamentary questions calling for figures on deaths on the stretch of road between Sadlers Farm and Waterside Farm roundabouts.

The Conservative MP has also demanded to know how many times emergency crews have been diverted by road closures because of accidents there. He also called on the Government to install a central safety barrier on the road.

Dr Spink, last week warned the island was at breaking point and on the verge of "civil unrest" if a campaign for better roads did not get under way.

He said: "Canvey's access has been my number one target for more than 15 years and I hope everyone involved will now back this campaign fully."

Dr Spink said the current trend to cram in more houses and commercial sites without adequate infrastructure was making the problem worse.

He added: "I hope this time all councillors and neighbouring councils will back quick action to solve the problems and make our roads safer.