Back us up for more frequent buses

Written by A Guardian Reporter and published in Epping Forest Guardian on Thu 23rd Dec 2004

A call is being made for a more reliable and frequent bus service, and you are being asked to help.

A consultation process on buses around west Essex is due to finish at the end of the month and residents have been asked for their concerns.

Epping and Theydon Bois Liberal Democrat county councillor Janet Whitehouse said: "If people don't tell us there's a need then nothing will happen. If they tell me I can pass on their concerns or put them in touch with the consultants who are doing the study and they can speak to them directly. I would urge people to contact us."

Common complaints include the lack of bus routes to St Margaret's and Princess Alexandra hospitals and those for commuters coming in to Epping to catch the tube.

Many elderly people have to get taxis to get to hospital appointments or catch a number of buses and end up waiting an hour between them. Commuters end up driving to Epping and clogging up residential areas because of the lack of buses around peak times.

Mrs Whitehouse added: "There are lots of elderly people who cannot get a direct bus to the hospital and whilst some of us could walk from certain bus stops, they can't. We're also not winning the battle against congestion. If county is serious about that, we need reliable bus services at times when people want to use them."

The Liberal Democrats put forward a motion at the last full council meeting asking for another look at the shortfall in bus services, but this was lost.

Mrs Whitehouse said she was concerned that's those carrying out the west Essex review did not use the bus service and urged residents to have their say.

The consultants will report back on January 11. To comment, ring Mrs Whitehouse on 01992 812 503 or send us feedback via this site.