Someone asked onlineFOCUS for the timetable for the no.3 bus service to Hyde Hall (a lovely place to visit, especially when the weather is good). We have emailed the timetable to that person, but for anyone else who is interested, here is the timetable. (click on the images to enlarge them)
We’ve been hearing quite a few complaints about buses not stopping when they should.
If you have any complaints about a bus service, the best person to contact appears to be:
Paul Rowden – Senior Local Bus Officer
Passenger Transport – Essex County Council
Tel 0845 603 7631
He told the Rawreth Parish Clerk
“Regarding alleged failures to stop etc, we would always urge these to be reported as close as possible to the time they occur so the patterns can be tracked and drivers investigated. While we are not responsible for service 1, we partly contribute to services 3, R3, 2 and 6 and can often investigate the problem…..”
Other highways stuff discussed yesterday included:
Watery Lane – this is almost beyond parody now. We had one business-owner who explained how Watery Lane has been officially closed for flooding for the last 34 working days. Currently the water is 18 inches deep. Sometimes lorries will come through the water when it isn’t too deep, other time they have to drive a van out to collect the stuff from the lorry somewhere down the road. Apparently the collapsed culvert which is causing the immediate problem can’t be repaired by County Highways until the summer
Tescos at London Road Rayleigh – we agreed to spend £7000 on bollards on the grass verge to prevent vehicles parking.
Spa Road , Hockley – County Councillor Bonnie Hart said there was ‘utter chaos’ near Sainsbury’s, and we agree to spend £20,000 on railings
The three entrance points to Barling – we agreed to spend £30,000 on ‘village gateways’, to make it extra clear to drives they were entering a 30 mph zone through the village.
Old London Road , Rawreth. We decided NOT to sopend money on signage stating there might be pedestrians in the road. However Chris Black did get the officers to look once again at lowering the speed limit here.
Popes Walk , Rayleigh We refused a request to remove cobble stones because of anti-social behaviour.
Cycleways and Bus Shelters . We decided not to spend any money on new cycleways or replacement bus shelters.
Rawreth Parish Council have been advised by the Essex County Council bus team that from March 3rd, two Regal Busways routes are being withdrawn, and a third one reduced. It’s very disappointing news. It would have a drastic impact for some Rawreth residents in particular:
Service :Regal Busways R3 – Rawreth Lane – Rayleigh Station
Changes :Service withdrawn
Impact: A number of peak time journeys linking the Rawreth Lane area of Rayleigh to the station are withdrawn, leaving a small number of remaining service 3 journeys at these times unaffected.Service: Regal Busways 2 – Southend – Rochford – Hockley – Rayleigh – Chelmsford
Changes: Service withdrawn
Impact:This 3 day a week direct shopper service between Southend and Chelmsford will be withdrawn, alternative journeys will require using more than one bus.Service: Regal Busways 6 Southend – Rayleigh – Rawreth – Chelmsford
Changes: Service withdrawn
Impact: This 2 day a week direct shopper service between Southend and Chelmsford will be withdrawn, alternative journeys will require using more than one bus.Essex County Council is assessing its response to these changes.
We’ve tried looking at the Regal Busways website, but all you get is a big red page, saying the website is currently down for maintenance:
This information is included on the County Council’s monthly bus passenger news, which you can download from here.
We will be seeing if there is anything we can do to help the situation.
Lib Dem County Councillor Stephen Robinson has kindly sent us the following information:-
From 1 October 2012, residents applying for a bus pass for the first time or looking to replace their lost or broken pass will need to apply to Essex County Council instead of their local District, Borough or City Council*. This is because there is now one centralised system for processing applications and replacements.
Applications should be completed in full and posted to : Essex ENCTS Bus Pass, PO Box 212, Waterlooville, PO7 6ZN. Application forms are available via
· downloading at www.canigetapass.org.uk
· calling 0845 200 0388 (residents can also request assistance completing the form by calling this number)
· collecting from their local library
If residents already have a bus pass and it is due for renewal, provided they are at the same address they will be sent a new pass automatically. However, if they have changed address, they need to let Essex County Council know by emailing buspass.team@essex.gov.uk or calling 0845 200 0388. If they have lost their pass they can arrange a replacement by calling 0845 200 0388.
Please note, the changes are to the application process only, not to entitlement or service hours. In Essex, eligible older and disabled people are entitled to a bus pass which allows for free bus travel between 9am and midnight Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays. Companion passes are also available for disabled pass holders who require regular assistance.
In order to raise awareness of the new process and to ensure customers are directed to the right point of contact in the first instance the changes to the administration of the scheme will be promoted county wide. This will primarily consist of engagement with relevant partners and organisations such as GP surgeries, bus operators, District, Borough and City, Parish and Town Councils. This will be further supported by posters in libraries (where customers can also collect an application form), as well as advertising on local radio, bus shelters and in local newspapers.
For more information about the changes to the application process or to check eligibility for a bus pass visit www.canigetapass.org.uk or call 0845 200 0388.
*This does not apply to Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Thurrock Council.
What is changing?
We are changing the way we process application forms for English National Concessionary Travel, consolidating the 12 administrative systems that are currently in operation across Essex into one centralised system. This has no impact on the times passes can be used and pass holders are still entitled to free travel between 9am and midnight from Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.
Who is eligible for a pass?
Men and women who are at the female age of retirement-age can apply for a bus pass. Also, disabled people can apply if they meet the entitlement criteria outlined by the Government, you can find out more about this at www.directgov.co.uk
Can I get an application form in my local council office?
Yes. If you need assistance completing the form, you will need to contact Essex County Council. We can also help you to complete the form over the phone. You can contact us by calling 0845 200 0388.
Where else can I collect a form from?
You can download a copy of the application form online atwww.canigetapass.org or collect one at Essex libraries and through Essex County Council offices.
How long is the application process?
Application forms sent to us will be processed within two working days and you can expect to receive your pass within 10 working days
The return address on the form has a PO7 post code – is this correct?
Yes. The application processing centre is in Portsmouth.
I have a question – can I see someone?
Later on in 2012, we will be running ‘road shows’ around the County to enable people to ask questions. However, in the meantime you can contact us by calling 0845 200 0388 or by emailinghelp@canigetapass.org.uk
I have a disability – is the application process the same for me?
Yes. However, we are introducing a separate form for disabled people to give more information around who qualifies and under what criteria.
What if I am hearing impaired?
We have a minicom service – 0845 200 1424,
Skype – EssexBusPass
or Email help@canigetapass.org.uk.
We can also write to you in a format you prefer.
What if I am or am helping someone who is sight impaired?
We can phone or communicate using audio CD or MP3. We will also complete the application for you over the phone and send it to you with markers to attach the photo, evidence of who you are and where to sign. To access this service, call 0845 200 0388
What if I move out of Essex or no longer require the pass?
If you have moved within Essex (but not to Southend or Thurrock), your pass is still valid. If you move to any other county, Southend or Thurrock, you will need to apply for a new pass from your new Local Authority and return your old one to us.
If you have moved or no longer require the pass, please let us know so we can remove your details from the system.
What if someone has passed away – what should I do?
Please contact us.
Can I apply for a bus pass online?
Not at the moment but we are working to develop this in the future
My pass will expire in March 2013 – what should I do?
You do not need to do anything unless you have moved. If you have moved to another county, Southend or Thurrock since you received your current pass you need to return your pass to us and apply for a new one from your Local Authority. If you have moved within Essex, please tell us as soon as possible, so that we can update our records to send your new bus pass to the correct address.
Back in July we were told the following bus routes were being withdrawn:
2 Southend – Rochford – Rayleigh – Rawreth – Chelmsford
Service withdrawn. This service currently runs once each way during shopping hours on Mon/Wed/Fri only.
_
6 Southend – Eastwood – Rayleigh – Rawreth – Chelmsford
Service withdrawn. This service currently runs once each way during shopping hours on Tue/Thu only.
_
R3 Rawreth/Rawreth Lane ASDA – Rayleigh Station
Service withdrawn. This service currently operates during early morning and evening commuter peak times only.
However we have just heard that the County Council will support the continuation of the affected journeys until no later than August 2013, so services will continue unchanged.
They will be reviewed again in the next 6-12 months before a decision on their longer term future is taken. The journeys will be operated by Regal Busways to the same timetable as at present, with the exception of some minor changes to timings on the R3.
So, well done to the County Council….
Rayleigh Town Council and Rawreth Parish Council have just been advised by the County Council as follows:
CHANGES TO BUS SERVICES IN ROCHFORD/CHELMSFORD
We are writing to notify you that from the 25th August 2012 the following changes to Regal Busways commercial services will take place in your area:
2 Southend – Rochford – Rayleigh – Rawreth – Chelmsford
Service withdrawn. This service currently runs once each way during shopping hours on Mon/Wed/Fri only.
6 Southend – Eastwood – Rayleigh – Rawreth – Chelmsford
Service withdrawn. This service currently runs once each way during shopping hours on Tue/Thu only.
R3 Rawreth/Rawreth Lane ASDA – Rayleigh Station
Service withdrawn. This service currently operates during early morning and evening commuter peak times only.
However the number 3 service from Regal will still be running , with a new timetable that includes Hyde Hall. You can download the new timetable here. The route is basically Southend Travel Centre – Westcliff – Leigh-on-Sea – Hadleigh Church – Thundersley (Woodmans) – Rayleigh High Street – Rayleigh Station – Downhall Road – Rawreth lLne – Bedloes Corner – Battlesbridge (Hawk) – Rettendon – Hyde Hall – Great Baddow – Chelmsford. The service is roughly once per hour.
We received the following email today from Rawreth resident Karl Reilly:
I have been in touch with Greater Anglia since they have taken over the local rail franchise. The train services into London have been improving, but one of the peak rush hour trains still does not stop at Battlesbridge – the only station it does not stop at.
_
I wrote to Greater Anglia to ask if the would stop the 07:37 Southminster to London service at Battlesbridge. They responded that they would not, and further, they were also considering making the 06:48 service non-stopping too.
_
This means that if people from Rettendon and Battlesbridge want to travel to London from our station they have a choice of a train at 06:34 or 08:41! The only viable alternative is to drive to Wickford and park. This adds loads of extra car journeys in the area and for each of us using the station, and additional bill of over £1,000 a year for parking.
_
For Greater Anglia, there are no reasonable operational reasons why these trains cannot stop additionally at Battlesbridge. The transit time from South Woodham to Wickford is the same whether or not the trains stop!
_
Could I ask you and the council to contact Greater Anglia on behalf of the residents and users of the station to request that the through trains stop at Battlesbridge?
We will certainly be pursuing this issue. Battlesbridge station seems to be an underused asset….
:
Today we received the following press release from Regal Busways
Regal Busways are set to introduce three new bus services from Tuesday 30th August. Two of the new services, numbers 2 and 6 are special shopper services and the third service, the R3, is a special commuter service to Rayleigh rail station, connecting buses with morning and evening London train services.
_
The number 2 service will link Southend, Ashingdon, Hockley and Rayleigh to Chelmsford and operates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The service will provide a direct link to Chelmsford for Ashingdon and Hockley residents for the first time.
_
The number 6 service will link Southend, Eastwood and Rayleigh to Chelmsford every Tuesday and Thursday.
_
The R3 service will inter-work with Regal Busways’ existing number 3 service and operates between Rawreth Lane (Asda) and Rayleigh rail station. The services will see the number of journeys between Rawreth Lane (Asda) and Rayleigh rail station in the morning peak increase from 2 to 7 and similarly on the return evening services.
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A special promotional ticket will also be introduced on the R3 service until the end of the year. Daily fares will be just £1 single, £2 return or £10 for a weekly ticket.
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Adrian McGarry, Managing Director of Regal Busways said, “Using the new R3 service to Rayleigh station rather than the car is an excellent way to make significant savings on station car parking and fuel costs and helps to reduce congestion on the road at peak times. I’m also delighted to offer two new shopper services to Chelmsford, which will open up new journey opportunities for Ashingdon and Hockely residents”.
_
For more information about the services visit www.regalbusways.com or call Regal Busways on .
Those nice people at Regal Busways have sent us a revised number 3 Timetable. This has not been updated on their web site yet but probably will be this week .
The changes include 4 of the short trips starting at ASDA being extended to Start/Terminate at Chelmsford. This gives the vehicle a longer turn around so should stop some of the late running. They have also extended the journey time to make them more reflective of the actual journey time.
They hope this will correct and stop some of the late running which has badly affected the short ASDA Trips.
If you want a copy of the timetable, please let us know and we will email it to you.
We’ve had the following comment from onlineFOCUS reader “Greenbelt” which is worth making an item on its own:
Advice To Holders Of Concessionary Travel Passes.
I travelled from Bedloes Corner to Canvey on the Regal Busways No1. bus yesterday (15 minutes late) which had an Essex County Council official on board checking bus passes.
We spoke together for a while and he said he was ensuring not only that the rightful person was using the pass but also that they were using an Essex County Council pass and not the old District Council one.
If you have not switched to the new pass I suggest you do so.
We are Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners in Rochford District.
We want to improve local decision-making and we see onlineFOCUS as a good way of keep residents informed and involved.
Please click here to email us .
Ron Oatham
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If you want information on a particular planning application, you can find it on the District Council website here.
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There's also an independent website called FixMyStreet. It's very good for reporting minor street problems like holes in the road, grafitti or failed streetlights. You can find FixMyStreet here.
Rochford District Council carries out grass cutting on behalf of the County Council.
If you see a grass verge that badly needs cutting, you can report it
here.
This is the official master document for planning policy in our district! To download it, click here
click here. (2.5mb)
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