John Howson's Tour of Castle Point

John Howson, the new Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Castle Point, swept into the borough on 20th October and joined many local Lib Dem campaigners on a tour of the constituency.

He starting with a visit to our least known innovation, the mini roundabout, between the Anchor pub and and St Mary's church in Benfleet, the first mini roundabout in the world. John commented "We need to look at new ways in which we can innovate to cope with our traffic problems".

After a brief visit to Canvey's famous 'Dutch Cottage' that John remembers from childhood holidays on the island, he visited the 'road to nowhere', the Northwick Road, that could be part of a new vital way on and off the island, avoiding the A130 roundabout that links all current road links. John commented that an access road along Northwick Road to Pitsea, Basildon and the west could make the island safer and more accessible.

John Howson and the Lib Dems visited the sea wall wonderfully decorated by the local community. Many discussions were had about the Canvey seafront and the risks of global climate change might make to the low-lieing island. The team also witnessed the significant housing developments on the island and heard about new buiding pressures in the pipeline.

A pleasant lunch break was taken at the Hoy and Helmet Pub in old Benfleet, the ancient pub being visited by many politicians including one Nigel Farage (whatever happened to him?).

John met Henry Prankerd a keen cyclist and discussed the innovations needed for cycling in the Borough, the home of Olympic off road cycling.

John and the team visited Tarpots and saw how heavy traffic can be be tamed to allow pedestrians to get around and shop safely. They visited the Aldi store, so popular 7 days a week.

The Lib Dem team visited Hadleigh's cycling memorial close to Morrissons. They also saw the dilapidated town centre with its Library clinging on by its fingertips despite Tory County austerity measures that tried to shut it down recently. John Howson said "I am in despair that so many town centres, like Hadleigh's are still suffering under Tory cuts, so much promise but local people are let down".

John and the team moved to more positive aspects of Hadleigh Castle with its estuary views.

John Howson visited King John School in Hadleigh which recently got a clean bill of health from Offsted.

And finally back to Benfleet and the station and on to Oxford

John Howson offers Lib Dem voters in Castle Point, a real chance for a change, we must grasp the opportunity and vote for John Howson Liberal Democrat at the next election!

See you again soon!

John Howson offers Lib Dem voters in Castle Point, a real chance for a change, we must grasp the opportunity and vote for John Howson Liberal Democrat at the next election!