PARTS of the Dengie could be cut off if vital bus routes are axed under a council’s latest cost cutting exercise, it is feared.

A public consultation on a number of routes taxpayers fund across the district has been launched.

Essex County Council is looking to withdraw the D6 Southminster to Althorne commuter service.

This means commuters from Asheldham, Dengie, Tillingham, Bradwell-on-Sea, Steeple, Mayland and Latchington will no longer have a service to Althorne station.

County Hall is also reviewing the D1 and D2 services from Southminster and Bradwell on Sea to Maldon.

Under the two options proposed one would see the two villages removed from the timetable altogether.

District councillor for Southminster, Adrian Fluker, said: “Essex County Council need to sharpen up and understand that we have an ageing a population and that with rising fuel and running costs people living in Southminster and other rural areas in the Dengie are becoming more and more dependent on bus services.

“The alternative would be more cars on the road, more delays and more pollution.

"If services are cut back, sections of the community would become isolated and disconnected from essential services which as a result would be totally against the principal of supporting rural communities and sustainability.”

Other routes facing changes include the DaRT 5 between Stow Maries and South Woodham Ferrers and the D4 Bradwell on Sea to Burnham.

Ken Harris, chairman of the Dengie Bus Users Group, said it was important for people to have their say.

He said: “The changes affect not only the people who use the service but people who could use the services.

"The issue here is the proximity – people live a long way away from where they need to be. The service needs to recognise that.

"We would like to see bus services continue over DRT – we would rather see DRT supplement services.”

Some services cost taxpayers more than £5 for every passenger carried – the maximum level of support Essex County Council will normally approve.

Eddie Johnson, councillor responsible for transport, said: “This is not sustainable in the long term and that is why we are looking at a whole host of options to support the future of bus services across Maldon and the local area."

People can respond to the changes by January 3 at www.essex.gov.

uk/busconsultations, visiting libraries or calling 0345 7430430.

Fresh changes set for reprieved bus route

BUS routes which faced the axe could be revised just three months after a council stepped in to save them.

Essex County Council agreed to part fund the 91, 92 and 95 services from Tollesbury in the summer.

Now both the 91 and 92 routes could be revised under new plans proposed by County Hall.

Seven routes across Maldon and the Dengie are facing changes or could be cut.

A public consultation has now been launched to ask passengers’ opinions on the routes.

Proposed changes to the 91 from Tollesbury to Witham include the removal of the stops opposite Brook Road in Tolleshunt Knights and next to Station Road in Tiptree.

Changes to the 92 route include removing the stops at Brook Road and Top Road in Tolleshunt Knights and replacing it with one stop at the village hall.

The proposals come just two months after the council agreed to review the routes after a campaign by MP Priti Patel when passengers encountered difficulties.

Campaigners spoke of their joy after County Hall decided not to make changes to the 95 route which stops in Goldhanger.

Margaret Salmon, of Church Street, Goldhanger, said: “It is good news as they said they would review it in six months.

“There has been one timetable change moving the 10:40am to 9.30am which caught a few people out.

“It is working reasonably well. The new timetable has a long gap from 11.40am to 2.40pm but people seem to be adjusting and making it work for them.

“The campaign was worth doing. We have got nothing in this village. We only have two pubs and a church. It is a lovely place to live but it is a very isolated community.”

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “Slight changes are being proposed for the 91 and 92 route as set out in the consultation.

"Essex County Council stepped in to save the 95 route last July and since then, a number of changes have been made to the service after requests were received.

"ECC is not therefore proposing any changes to the 95 at this time. However, suggestions for the 95 service can still be made as part of the current consultation by using the write in box on the form."