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Search forBRAINTREE: Battle to save bus route 352
Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 11:42
It was revealed two weeks ago that First Essex Buses is terminating the 352 Halstead to Chelmsford service on December 8.
But users say the new schedule – which will force them to change in Braintree town centre – will cause them delay and unreliability and some fear they could miss vital appointments at Broomfield Hospital.
Petitions handed through the buses have collected dozens of names and pressure is being put on First from a number of groups and bodies, including Braintree District Council, to reverse its decision.
Diana Redgwell, 38, from High Street, Braintree, uses the bus to get to her job as an office administrator in Chelmsford.
She collected 70 signatures in just two commutes, including from the bus driver.
"All of the passengers are outraged," she said. "If we have got a fighting chance of saving the route, we have to try."
In a plea to the bus company she said: "Please reconsider. Many of us are reliant on the 352."
First have said the changes may be "inconvenient" to some but will result in a better service in other areas. The number 70 Colchester to Braintree service is being extended to Chelmsford, and will run every half hour, to compensate for the loss of the 352.
Managing director Bob Dorr told the Chronicle: "We regret that the 352 service can't continue as it is, since we cannot deliver the punctuality that we promise our passengers.
"Although this will be a little more inconvenient, it is far outweighed by the other benefits of doubling our service to Colchester, and improved, step-free access on newer buses."
"Some people, whose concerns have been unnecessarily exacerbated, have concluded that the robust connections at Braintree bus park won't work before they have even started."
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