Bus cuts strand hospital worker

A ST Margaret's Hospital worker has spoken out against bus service cutbacks which leave him with a three-mile trek home after work.

Richard Porter, 45, who works as a supervisor at the Epping hospital often finishes work at 9pm. But the last bus from Harlow town centre to his home in Katherines leaves before 7pm, which means Mr Porter is forced to walk the route, a journey that used to take him 15 minutes by bus.

During the day he says the service is "quite good because it is a commercial service".

"But in the evening it's a council service and that's when the problem is, because the council has cut several routes."

Clifford Gould, 72, and wife Barbara, 70, of St Leonards Road, Nazeing, have the option of only two bus routes going to Harlow and Hoddesdon.

They moved to Nazeing from Waltham Abbey and until the bus route was cut four years ago they could easily travel to Waltham Abbey.

Mrs Gould said: "I used to link up with a friend who I worked with which I obviously haven't been able to do just relying on the car. It was nice to be independent."

They also find it difficult travelling to Epping for appointments at St Margaret's Hospital as they have to change buses in Harlow, and buses do not run on Sundays or Bank holidays.

Mrs Gould said: "The bus stop isn't too far from where we are, but there aren't any buses."

Mr Porter said the council "just seems to drop them (bus routes) like a stone" with some areas left without any bus services at all.

Local services are currently under review by Essex County Council.

Epping and Theydon Bois Liberal Democrat county councillor Janet Whitehouse said talks with the county council were "encouraging" as "the officers spoke about the importance of public transport and bringing back all types of community transport".

Mr Porter said: "They could re-route some of the other buses but they don't do that.

"They just cut services and there's no coverage for people who work anti-social hours, but they should also keep them running for social purposes."

Epping Forest Community Transport operates a community transport service from the Lavers and Matching areas into Epping and Chigwell on Mondays, and from the Lavers into Harlow, Epping and Theydon Bois on Fridays. The service depends on the public and will create more routes to suite people's needs. Community transport director Angela Canham said: "We could definitely do with more passengers." Anyone who requires a bus service can get more details about Epping Forest Community Transport by ringing Angela Canham on 01992 812503.