No Changes To Bus Routes. Don't Isolate Our Village.

We as residents are deeply concerned by the changes to the route of the number 21 bus.

The changes to this bus route by first buses will be harmful to the residents of Thundersley Village in a number of ways. First, many of our residents, many of them with mobility issues, rely on this crucial bus service for easy, stress-free access to Southend Hospital. Without this service, Thundersley residents needing to visit Southend Hospital are faced with the choice of either going through the stress and hassle of catching a connection bus in Rayleigh, or going direct to the nearest available accessible bus stop to the hospital, which is Westcliff Library, a mile's walk away from the hospital. It is simply not realistic to expect residents with existing ailments to make a journey of this complexity, stress, and arduity.

In addition to this, the proposed changes to the number 21 route, which seek to cut out Hart Road and Rayleigh Road completely would be disastrous for the many small businesses in our village. Many people rely on the number 21 to get into the village and spend money in our many shops along Hart Road. By cutting off this important transport route, you are hanging our small businesses out to dry.

We call on First Buses to reverse the changes to the number 21 bus immediately. We also call on Castle Point Borough Council to explore all avenues through which we can ensure that our village maintains its vital place in the local transport network.