The plan requires a core group of 5-10 committed residents to start, expanding with recruitment. Eventually growing with necessity to gain funding of around £1,000-£5,000 annually, potential routes to set up a charity with crowdfunding and donations. Tracking progress regularly with metrics like petition signatures, media mentions, and meetings secured. Adapt based on political changes, such as elections or funding announcements.

The goal to achieve 10,000 active subscribers and petition signers willing to support the project.

Year 1: Building Awareness

Focus on mobilising local support, gathering evidence, and establishing credibility to create a unified voice.

1.  Form a Campaign Group and Online Presence (Months 1-3)

           –  Create a resident-led group, Canvey Island Third Road Action Group (CITRAG), with a simple website and Facebook page for updates, resources, and sign-ups. Primarily using social media to gain momentum and creating a database of residents to eventually forward petitioning action.

           –  Recruit via community forums, local Facebook groups including those discussing the Castle Point Local Plan, door to door, campaigning in high-traffic areas like town centre, Canvey Lake and seafront.

           –  Launch an online subscriber list via a website (canveythirdroad.co.uk) to collect data on an army ready to sign a formal petition.

           – Gain endorsements from local businesses and charities to built reputation.

2.  Gather Evidence and Public Engagement (Months 4-8)

           –  Conduct surveys via website, social media and in person to collect resident stories on congestion, emergency access issues, and economic impacts. Compile onto website and Facebook to strengthen motivation.

           –  Attend local groups and meetings with guest speakers and social media campaigns with hashtags like #ThirdRoadForCanvey. Share videos of traffic jams to build emotional appeal.

           – Start a letter writing campaign to local councillors at Castle Point Borough Council, urging them to recommence the Canvey West Access Task Force. Secure media coverage in local outlets like the Southend Echo to amplify resident voices. 

3.  Initial Lobbying and Alliances (Months 9-12)

           –  Meet with the local MP, Rebecca Harris to gain endorsement and gain further traction.

           –  Build alliances with cross party support, including Conservatives, Labour, Peoples Independent Party (PIP) and Canvey Island Independent Party (CIIP). Engage businesses like DP World Port for endorsements, emphasising economic regeneration.

           –  Actions: Submit Freedom of Information requests to ECC and DfT for updates on funding pots (e.g., Major Road Network schemes) and past proposals like the Roscommon Way Extension.

Milestones: 2,000+ signatures, 3-5 media articles, and at least one meeting with the MP or council.

Year 2: Intensification and Pressure

Escalate visibility and direct advocacy to influence planning and funding decisions, tying into local plans and elections.

1.  Public Actions and Media Influence (Months 13-16)

           – Organise peaceful public action at key sites like the Saddlers Farm roundabouts during peak hours to highlight congestion. Coordinate with safety in mind and notify police. The goal is to increase awareness and catch potential signatures whilst in traffic, handing out business cards / leaflets with easy access to website and petition.

           –  Expand the petition drive by door knocking in residential areas, partner with schools and businesses.

           –  Launch a crowdfunding campaign for billboards or ads in local papers,

           –  Target media outlets and social influencers for broader reach; invite reporters to events.

2.  Targeted Lobbying and Taskforce Revival (Months 17-20)

           –  Push for the revival of the Third Road Taskforce, involving ECC, Castle Point Council, and residents.

           –  Attend ECC and Transport East meetings (public sessions) to speak during Q&A, advocating for inclusion in regional evidence bases for DfT funding.

           – Coordinate with the MP to lobby DfT ministers; organise a trip to Westminster if possible. Seek support from opposition parties for maximum pressure.

           –  Target DfT and Transport East, emphasise national funding needs.

3.  Election and Community Integration (Months 21-24)

           –  Tie into local elections by questioning candidates on their stance and securing pledges.

           –  Integrate with related issues; linking campaign to flood defence or housing debates. 

           –  Host webinars with experts on road funding processes, inviting key political figures

Milestones: Taskforce revival or equivalent commitment, 10,000 signatures, national media mention, and funding discussions initiated.

Year 3: Decision Push and Sustainability

Aim for concrete outcomes like business case approval or funding bids, while ensuring long-term momentum.

1.  Funding Advocacy (Months 25-28)

           –  Monitor DfT funding rounds (e.g., LLM schemes) and urge ECC to submit a Strategic Outline Case, providing resident input.

           –  If progress stalls, escalate with a larger protest or potential judicial review using petition data in submissions.

           –  Target Treasury and DfT, using local MP.

2.  Expand Alliances (Months 29-32)

           –  Form a broader coalition with neighbouring areas (Basildon & Rayleigh) facing similar issues.

           –  Gain endorsement from neighbouring area politicians to build national traction

3.  Evaluation and Legacy (Months 33-36)

           –  Assess position, if successful shift to oversight of construction. If not, relaunch petition or adapt plan.

           –  Celebrate wins with community events to maintain engagement.

Milestones: Business case submission, funding allocation, or significant policy shift.

Summary

The key is to build interaction and traction from the Canvey community spirit highlighting to decision makers that a third road to Canvey is absolutely essential. Staying legal, but persistent and a burden to those responsible until breaking point.