Bus Forum Meeting - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Bus Forum Meeting – LOCAL community groups, bus operators, and transport advocates are coming together to discuss the next steps in improving bus services in Southend.

Bus Forum Meeting - LOCAL community groups, bus operators, and transport advocates are coming together to discuss the next steps in improving bus services in Southend.

LOCAL community groups, bus operators, and transport advocates are coming together to discuss the next steps in improving bus services in Southend.

The forum was set up as part of the Southend Enhanced Partnership, following on from the council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which was originally put into place in October 2021.

The BSIP was produced in response to the government’s ‘Bus Back Better’ National Bus Strategy to put bus services across England on a sustainable long-term footing following the global pandemic. The BSIP now needs to be refreshed in line with government guidance, and the forum’s role is to help advise on the strategic priorities for that.

The Local Bus Forum includes representatives from Southend City Council, adjoining councils, the three local bus operators (Arriva, First and Stephensons), Southend Area Bus User Group, Campaign for Better Transport, Bus Users UK, Southend City BID, Essex Police, Youth Council and Transport Focus.

It is a meeting in public and members of the public are being invited to ask pre-submitted questions and comments to the forum about the items on the meeting’s agenda, questions asked at the meeting will not be accepted. The agenda will be published on the council’s website later next week, along with details of how to submit questions and comments in advance.

Coun Paul Collins, cabinet member for finance, assets and investments, said: “The Southend Local Bus Forum is an important opportunity for everyone to ask questions about our bus services, as they are today and what we need for the future.

“We know that public transport plays a crucial role in the daily lives of our residents, connecting people to work, school, healthcare, and leisure activities. That’s why it’s essential to work collaboratively to address challenges and identify solutions that improve accessibility, reliability, and overall service quality.

“By working together, we can make sure that buses in Southend are reliable, efficient, and meet the needs of all our residents. Our goal is to ensure that bus travel remains an attractive, sustainable, and practical choice for everyone, reducing congestion and supporting our environmental commitments.”

The meeting of the Southend Local Bus Forum will take place on Monday 18 March, at 2pm in the Jubilee Room at Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend, SS2 6ER.

How to ask questions at the meeting – Members of the public who wish to ask a question or make a comment must register by sending an email with the question or comment to the Secretary of the Southend Local Bus Forum at [email protected] by 5.00pm no later than Friday 14 March 2025.

Full details of the process for doing this are on the democracy.southend.gov.uk website under – Local Bus Forum. The meeting agenda and reports pack will be published online a week before the meeting here: https://democracy.southend.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=552.

To learn more about the Bus Service Improvement Plan, the Enhanced Partnership, and the Local Bus Forum, please visit: https://www.southend.gov.uk/parking-travel-roads/southend-bus-service-improvement-plan-enhanced-partnership/3

Coun Collins recently joined other City Councillors, guests and the Mayor of Southend as they travelled from Leigh Train Station, on a 1961 Vintage green double decker bus, to help publicise the return of the 23A from Leigh Station, Belfairs, through Eastwood to both London Southend Airport and the Business Parks around Cherry Orchard Lane.

He said: “Despite the wet weather, a good time was had by all. We are grateful to the owners and the Canvey Island Transport Museum for making this trip possible.

“The 1961 bus was in splendid condition and the guests were met at the Launchpad for light refreshments and a short tour of the new building.

“We look forward to the summer when we might seeing the return of the bus to Leigh through Eastwood, with the number 23A, which is a fondly remembered bus service from the past.”

Picture: Coun Collins recently joined other City Councillors, guests and the Mayor of Southend as they travelled from Leigh Train Station, on a 1961 Vintage green double decker bus, to help publicise the return of the 23A from Leigh Station, Belfairs, through Eastwood to both London Southend Airport and the Business Parks around Cherry Orchard Lane. Pic by Coun Collins.

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