The Member of Parliament for Southend West welcomed Richard Holden MP, Minister for Roads and Local Transport at the Department for Transport, to her constituency on the 15th of February to discuss key issues facing bus and train services.
Fighting against cuts, pushing for increased accessibility, and improving service provision has been at the heart of Anna Firth’s campaign to create a ‘transport infrastructure fit for a powerhouse city.’
By bringing together residents, businesses and community assets through modern bus and train links, she believes this will boost local prosperity.
One major issue has been the bus services operated by First Essex Buses. Within a few months of being elected, Anna was inundated with complaints regarding changes to the 21 and 26 services which would starve residents of vital connections to healthcare appointments and local shops.
Although she achieved great success by rerouting the number 3 following crunch conversations with First Essex Buses, Anna is determined to provide long-term and meaningful change to local bus concerns.
Therefore, she used the opportunity to hold a mass meeting onboard the number 3 between the Transport Minister, First Essex Commercial Director Garry Nicholass, Southend City Councillors and herself onboard the number 3.
Discussions made it clear that it is not just vital to protect current routes, but also invest in more options to connect the city, as well as with wider Essex area. The Minister was extremely encouraged by the conversations and will go away to look at what more can be done for services in Southend.
Stopping outside Chalkwell Station, Anna also raised the importance of bringing the c2c Rail trainline up to standard and into the modern age.
Despite making real progress on accessibility, including getting a slice of the £350 million Access for All fund to support new lifts at Chalkwell Station, Anna urged the Minister to prioritise the vital work for wheelchair users who have recently been impacted by the closure of lifts at Leigh Station.
The Department for Transport is also working with Transport for London to bring in 'Oyster-style' contactless to our stations and end the use of burdensome ticket machines which can cause so much havoc. She urged the Minister to get Southend bumped up the list and get our trainline fit-for-the-future.
Overall, the day was a major success and showed the determination of Anna Firth MP to work with Government to improve life for residents.
Anna said,
“I was absolutely delighted that the Minister accepted my invitation to Southend West, truly showing the Government's interest in Southend's upwards trajectory.”
“His optimism for my vision of a powerhouse city supported by strong transport infrastructure which connects our great city was truly fantastic, and although I have major progress including securing lift funding at Chalkwell and rerouting the number 3, I am determined that we invest in long-term, green transport which focuses on passenger service.”
Cllr Kevin Buck, Shadow Transport Cabinet Minister for Southend City Council, said,
“I would like to thank the Minister for coming to Southend and seeing the issues we face with our public transport.”
“We discussed the recent failed Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP) bid submitted by Southend and how, given the opportunity to be the Cabinet member responsible, I would work closely with him and the DfT to ensure that Southend can submit successful future bids.”
