News from Castle Point Labour

Rochford District Council has made a silly error

Within the last month or so a new sign has appeared on the A127. It is to be found when leaving the borough of Southend-on-Sea heading towards London, on the left-hand side.

This side reads “Welcome to RAYLEIGH”, and is headed “Rochford DISTRICT COUNCIL”.

The sign is wrong. The A127 from the Southend boundary up to the A130 is split between Castle Point and Rochford. The left hand side (heading westwards) belongs to Castle Point, being shared by Daws Heath and Thundersley.

There are homes along here, the first within yards of the sign.

Parliamentary candidate, Julian Ware-Lane, is a regular user of this stretch of road. “When I first saw this sign I thought I had imagined it. It is a confusing sign, and distracting because of that.”

“Any local person will tell you where Rayleigh actually is – someone in Rochford District Council has made a silly error here.”

Julian believes there is an identity crisis in Castle Point. “The joining of Benfleet and Canvey some thirty-five years ago is still an uneasy marriage in some quarters.”

Castle Point has very few signs declaring its existence, and appears on few maps.

Julian said: “I have never thought the name very satisfactory. Outside of Essex very few people know of it, yet many know of Canvey and Benfleet.

“The idea of Castle Point as an entity could do with a bit of salesmanship. The borough is twinned with three towns and counties, yet there is little to indicate this.

“The misplacing of the Rayleigh sign is not a big issue, but it does add to the impression that Castle Point is struggling to make itself known.”

Other news from Castle Point Labour

• Labour's Castle Point candidate joins campaign to support teachers - 28 April 2010
• Labour's Castle Point candidate backs the World Cup 2018 bid - 21 April 2010
• Castle Point Labour candidate will speak up for local pubs - 20 April 2010