1 minute read
Bus battle chaos
Since they made unjustifiable changes to vital bus routes in Easter, I have been battling with First Essex Buses to reverse their terrible decisions which were made without serious consideration or care for the hardworking taxpayers across Southend.
Following the announcement, I was immediately met with dozens of phone calls and emails from residents extremely concerned that adjustment to the Route 21 service would leave some of the most vulnerable and elderly without access to healthcare, high streets, and community hubs. I truly believe Southend should be the breeding ground for clean and green transport connectivity. We should be bringing everyone together and making the most of our city status, but instead these indispensable arteries of Southend were stripped away. the cold as the changes had not been properly communicated at her local bus stop. Worst of all, she was heading to the hospital for an important appointment. It is simply not acceptable. This matter became an immediate priority and has led me on an uphill battle to find a solution and hold the bus company to account on their responsibility to provide for our great community and contribute to the prosperity of Southend.
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by Anna Firth MP
Conservative MP for Southend West anna.firth.mp @parliament.uk See Anna Firth MP press release on the news page on Oracle's website
It is simply not acceptable
Without these direct connections to Southend University Hospital, the Leigh Broadway, or Iveagh Hall, residents are left searching their pockets to fund private taxis when finding the money to heat homes has never been more difficult. One resident informed me that their grandmother was left out in
A formal request for funding
A real breakthrough was made earlier this month when I called upon Garry Nicholass, Commercial Director of First Essex Buses, to meet with myself and constituents directly impacted by this terrible decision. The amazing constituent Josephine Pain joined me in handing over a petition of 550 signatures. As a result of my relentless lobbying, he is now actively considering how to make amends by incorporating the essential aspects of Route 21 into Route 3. Subsequently, First Essex Buses are now preparing a formal request for funding which will allow this to take place. Of course, this has my full backing, and I will continue to lobby until the matter is closed.
