Shock and anger as Warley's 73a and 73b bus services face the axe

Cllr David Kendall is asking local residents and bus users to back him in trying to save the 73a and 73b bus services covering Woodman Road and Clements Park in Warley.

First Buses recently announced that they will no longer be running the sections of the route via Clements Park and Woodman Road that operate between 0900 and 1400 on weekdays. These changes are set to come into effect from the 5th May.

David contacted the Passenger Transport Dept at Essex County Council several weeks ago and asked for an alternative operator to be found as these routes provide a vital lifeline for many residents particularly the elderly. He suggested that Brentwood Community Transport should be contacted to see if they could assist but he is still waiting to hear if that has been done.

If no bus operator can be found to cover these areas it will be a big blow to many bus users in Warley. It will also be very frustrating because when the Clements Park estate was built alot of money was spent on installing raised kerb bus stops along the route along with a few bus shelters. If there is no bus service going through Clements Park it will be seen as a complete waste of money.

If you want the County Council to find another operator to service Woodman Road and Clements Park please e-mail Nick Blackall nick.blackall@essex.gov.uk at Passenger Transport, Essex County Council and let him know your views.

Members of the Brentwood Bus & Rail Users Association had a meeting with First yesterday at Brentwood Town Hall to discuss the changes they are making to services across Brentwood and they were very cagey about giving out information on the Clements Park / Woodman Road section.