Essex

Spring Services Brings Bus to Blenheim

Partnership With Local Authority Brings Extra Buses for Blenheim Chase

Passengers young and old are to set to benefit from a new Spring bus service.

From April 6 this year, First and Southend Borough Council will run additional buses every two hours between Southend town centre and Blenheim Chase.

Service 21 currently serves Blenheim Chase at peak hours during the week, and was originally due to be permanently re-routed along the road, after traffic calming measures and inconsiderate parking had made parts of the route almost impossible for buses to navigate.

However, residents called for help and the speed tables on Manchester Drive and Middlesex Avenue were altered to accommodate the vehicles.

Now First have worked further with Southend council to bring more services to Blenheim Chase without taking it away from elsewhere.

The Councils Executive Councillor for Transport and Planning, Councillor Anna Waite said: "We met with the management of First buses and worked with them to increase the Blenheim Chase bus services without affecting passengers in other areas."

Managing Director of First Essex, Alan Pilbeam, said: "We committed in December not to change the path of this service. However, this also meant that the bus that was planned for Blenheim Chase wouldn't be happening.

"It seemed a terrible shame. Along with a number of older passengers who were concerned about hospital trips, a new children's centre that opens later this year at Blenheim school would miss out on a service. We have really pulled out all the stops to extend the services.

"At present, due to congestion on Middlesex Avenue, we run three morning peak services from Blenheim Chase to Southend, and another six buses in the other direction in the afternoon. I am very pleased to be adding another six buses to these services during the day.'

"We would like to thank Southend Council, along with Councillor Graham Longley for his help with this, who worked with Southend Council cabinet members to make it so. '

Cllr Graham Longley said: "This good news just goes to show what happens when everyone talks to each other - many people will be delighted with these new arrangements, and my warmest regards go to Bob Dorr for making this happen.'

The additional timetabled services will run depart Southend Travel Centre at 1042, 1242 and 1442 - with journeys from Blenheim Chase into town departing at 1100, 1300 and 1500.