The New Bus Stop

Hmmm …

You know, it HAS been a while since I’ve mentioned planning issues, it REALLY has.

But something I thought I’d quickly highlight … ?

Is the simple fact that Saint James Road — around the corner from my place — got re-surfaced, this Sunday gone.

And, along with that … ?

Had the various traffic lines repainted.

Including that oh-so-new bus stop.

Now, I KNOW where the buses stop, around here.

There’s one right next to Brentwood Station, where most of the buses head towards Warley.

There’s another over the road from that. That second one, along with one just a little further up Warley Hill, service the routes heading in the opposite direction, Brentwood High Street.

THIS one, on the other hand … ?

Seems to be part of NONE of the routes, in either direction … !

Bizarre … !

On and Off the Buses

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’m …

Troubled …

Weeellllllll …

Not so much troubled, as slightly worried …

You see, one thing I know our Coalition government has been going on about, is cuts.

Their trying to save money.

But I can’t help but wonder exactly what the coalition’s game is.

You see, one thing I have noticed, over the last few days, is the slowly increasing number of reports that many local councils are cutting subsidies to local bus companies.

And how campaigns are starting as a reaction …

Now, I don’t know about where you are, but here in the UK, many less frequently used bus routes get a subsidy from the local authority to keep less frequently used routes — along with a lot of school buses — going.

One example I can think of, here, is the 565: which — still — goes from here in Brentwood, to Herongate and beyond.

I used to use it to get to work, when I was kitchen portering in one of the pubs, down that way, for example.

Something like that’s incredibly important, if, like me and the many pensioners who used it, you don’t drive.

Less important to me were things like the 81 and 82, that are still — just about — go from where I live, all the way over to Shenfield: I always used to take the train to Shenfield, whenever I went to visit my former partner, Allison, who lived relatively near Shenfield station, but I know that many in some of the more out-of-the-way parts of Shenfield and Hutton rely on those two to get to Brentwood High Street.

So seeing news that many County councils are cutting subsidies to local bus routes … ?

Well …

I’m hoping you take my point.

Worrying …