I would urge the people of Canvey to think twice before endorsing plans to turn the town centre shopping area into a pedestrian precinct.

Having experienced the pedestrianisation of Woolwich, Bromley, Bexleyheath and Dartford town centres, I can tell you it will be a recipe for turning the town centre into a no-go area once the shops close.

The town centres I mention became a haven for gangs of youths when the shops closed, and particularly when the nights closed in.

Ordinary people are nervous about going through these areas once they have been taken over by those who have nothing better to do. Vandalism increases as well.

Other towns which haven’t pedestrianised have fared much better and feel much safer.

Traffic acts as a deterrent to people intent on mischief.

I don’t understand where the reference to roaring traffic comes from, as it is pretty difficult to achieve any speed in the town centre. I find the majority of drivers are very considerate at crossings.

So I say keep the traffic and keep the town centre alive at night.

Terry Brett
Creek Road
Canvey

...Having read about the pedestrianisation of Canvey town centre, I have to wonder what planet town councillor John Anderson lives on.

When and where exactly has he witnessed “people having to walk around the shops through roaring traffic”?

Furtherwick Road has a number of speed humps that effectively calm traffic, coupled with numerous pedestrian crossings and traffic lights.

If Furtherwick Road is closed to traffic, where does Mr Anderson suggest it is diverted to?

Unless there are major road developments, we will be faced with further bottlenecks due to the closure of Furtherwick Road.

Perhaps Mr Anderson could tell us how he would suggest subsequent traffic queues would be avoided.

Nobody would argue against the long-overdue investment in our town centre, but surely the money could be better spent on other facilities rather than this idiotic proposal.

Barry Allen
Papenburg Road
Canvey