Aveley, Ockendon and Upminster bus link to be cut

A WAR of words has erupted following the axing of a controversial bus route.

Labour councillors on Thurrock Council have reacted angrily after hearing that the 55 service, running between Belhus, Aveley and Upminster, is to be scrapped.

They say it is a vital commuter service that their Conservative rivals only kept running for political expediency.

However, the leading Tory councillor who authorised the withdrawal of council cash says the service cost taxpayers £25 a passenger and was simply unsustainable.

In March this year the Council said it would give residents a chance to prove the route was viable by putting up financial backing for Ensignbus to run the peaktime Monday to Friday 55 route after rival operator Arriva withdrew its 373 bus.

Now, after a period of close monitoring, the Council says it can’t keep paying out for so few passengers.

A Council spokesperson said: “Thurrock Council monitored the use of the service after introducing the subsidy, and it became apparent that the passenger numbers are not high enough to be able to continue this service as a subsidised route.

“The council is naturally disappointed to have to make this decision, however continuing to support the service does not represent good value for money to Thurrock residents.”

That has angered Ockendon councillor Barrie Lawrence who says the council was just playing politics with the route.

He said: “The 55 is well used by commuters travelling to and from Upminster station as well as many local schoolchildren who attend Gaynes School in Upminster. These folk will be left high and dry.

“People will remember that the 55 was authorised by the council in the run up to this year’s local elections following widespread anger at the axing of the 373.

“Well surprise, surprise with the elections out of the way the Conservatives running Thurrock Council think it is safe to chop the 55!

“I also understand the 66 is to be removed leaving no direct route from Ockendon village to Grays or to get schoolchildren from the village to Ockendon School. I am really angry about this.

"The people of Ockendon deserve a much better bus service than this and I intend to do all I can to fight for that better service.”

However, councillor Neil Rockliffe – who holds the portfolio for transport – says the decision, though tough, had to be made and he ridiculed Labour’s protest.

“This is a typical Labour party reaction, furious that this administration is spending Thurrock residents' money wisely,” he said.

“I would hate for Thurrock residents to be once again subjected to the Labour opposition party's attitude that we can spend our way out of problems. It is like an epidemic in the Labour party nationally that has spread like wildfire.

“Tax them, spend it, waste it.

“Barrie Lawrence and his colleagues were once responsible for council tax hikes in excess of 48 per cent. Now you can see why! The council coffers are not a bottomless pit.

“I took this decision reluctantly in light of many factors which included the Bus Panel’s review that took place in 2006 and recommendation that “best value” is achieved when the cost per passenger journey does not exceed £5, The 55 service actually costs £25 per passenger per day which equates to £6,000 per year.

Would spending that amount of money be considered wise?”

Thurrock Council has advised commuters who use Route 55 to access rail services and say there are alternative routes from Belhus and Aveley that connect with onward rail services.

Route 372 and 370 are both operated by Transport for London. Route 372 picks up in Aveley and extends to Wennington, Rainham Elm Park and Hornchurch. Residents who use this service can access the District Line from Elm Park Station.

Alternatively, residents can use Ensign’s Route 22 from Aveley to Ford Place and change onto Route 370, which serves Corbets Tey, Upminster, Emerson Park and Romford.

The London Underground network can be accessed at Upminster Station. To receive a timetable residents can contact either the Passenger Transport Unit on 01375 413886 or Transport for London on 0845 300 7000.

Its spokesperson added: “The council is also aware that a number of pupils currently use this service to travel to and from a school in Upminster.

“Although they are not entitled to transport, the council is writing to the school with information that a bus operator is keen to visit the school to meet with both parents and teachers to discuss a private contract dedicated for just pupils.”