Services C1 & C7 | Watchouse Road, Chelmsford | Road closure

From Sunday 2nd June 2024 the we are making the following changes to our network in North Essex:

71, 371, 372, X71 – Chelmsford to Colchester via Witham   

The Monday to Saturday timetable is revised. The current daytime service X71 journeys will be re-routed via Boreham Village (Plantation Road & Church Road) and Hatfield Peverel and run as service 71. At Stanway, 71 & 372 will run via Sainsburys and the 371 & X71 will run via Tollgate.

86 – Colchester to West Mersea

The Monday to Saturday service is re-routed to serve the Lethe Grove stops, running from Mersea Road via Berechurch Hall Road in both directions and will run to a revised timetable. There are no changes to the Sunday route or timetable.

87 – Horkesley Heath to Brightlingsea

The Monday to Friday off-peak daytime frequency is increased to run every 20 minutes between approximately 1000 and 1400. On Saturdays, the 87U journeys which currently terminate at the University of Essex will be extended to Brightlingsea as route 87, to provide a half hourly service throughout the day.

S1 – Highwoods to Wivenhoe 

There will be some minor changes to the timetable on all days of the week. Earlier journeys will be added to the Monday to Friday timetable, with the first bus from Wivenhoe leaving at 0500 and the first journey from Highwoods leaving at 0520.

S4 – Colchester to Greenstead

There will be minor changes to the daytime timetable on Monday to Saturday. An earlier journey will run from Greenstead at 0540 on Monday to Friday.

S6, S7 – Colchester to Shrub End / St Michaels        

There will be minor changes to the daytime timetable on Monday to Friday

S8 – Colchester Hospital to Monkwick 

Revised route and timetable. The Lethe Grove section of route will instead be covered by route 86. The Monday to Friday journeys which currently start or finish at Colchester Station are extended to finish at or start from Colchester Hospital.

S10 – Colchester to Colchester Hospital via St Johns *New Route* 

The S10 is a new service, running up to every hour on Monday to Saturday, providing new connections via Ipswich Road and St Johns estate to Colchester Hospital. From the High Street, the S10 runs via East Hill, Ipswich Road, St Johns, Highwood Approach, Highclere Road, Brinkley Grove Road, Mill Road and Turner Road.

From Sunday 2nd June 2024, we are making the following changes to our network across South and Mid Essex

21, 21A – Canvey to Southend **extended to Shoeburyness & Great Wakering**

The Monday to Saturday service is extended beyond Southend to Southchurch, Bournes Green, Maplin Way North, Delaware Road, Shoeburyness Asda, Great Wakering and Landwick, every 30 minutes, providing new links to Southend Hospital and to the schools on either side of the city in Westcliff and Southchurch.

37 – Warley to Bishops Hall and 351 – Chelmsford to Brentwood

There are minor timetable changes on Monday to Friday.

71, 371, 372, X71 – Chelmsford to Colchester via Witham    

The Monday to Saturday timetable is revised. The existing daytime service X71 journeys will be re-routed via Boreham Village (Plantation Road & Church Road) and Hatfield Peverel and run as service 71. At Stanway, 71 & 372 will run via Sainsburys and the 371 & X71 will run via Tollgate.

351 – Chelmsford to Brentwood

There are minor timetable changes on Monday to Friday.

B5 Basildon to Fiserv Janus House & Gardiners Lane South **New Route**

This new service replaces the existing short X10 journeys between Basildon, Festival Leisure Park, Fiserv (Janus House) and Gardiners Lane South. Buses will run up to  every 30 minutes during the daytime on Monday to Saturday with additional journeys at the busiest times.

X10 Basildon to Stansted Airport via Chelmsford  

The route is revised in Basildon with the Basildon to Janus House and Gardiners Lane section largely replaced by new service B5. The X10 is rerouted between Basildon town centre and Eastmayne via Broadmayne,  with buses calling at the Watermill stop all day, every day. Some journeys extend beyond Basildon bus station to Festival Leisure Park and Janus House at peak times.

The route between Chelmsford Bus Station and Broomfield Hospital is changed to run via Chelmer Valley Way and High Bridge Road, with new stops at Skerry Rise and Broomfield Angel. An additional stop is added in Chelmsford City Centre at the Army & Navy stops on Parkway.

The new X10 timetable will be posted here soon

X30 Southend to Stansted Airport via Chelmsford

The Monday to Saturday service is increased to run every 30 minutes over the full route between Southend and Stansted Airport  throughout the day. One daytime bus per hour will serve Southend Hospital (via Prittlewell Chase and Southbourne or Westbourne Grove), with the other running via Southend Airport and following the existing route. 

Between Chelmsford and Stansted, one bus per hour will run more directly via Essex Regiment Way and omit Dunmow, with the other bus per hour running the existing route. The route between Chelmsford Bus Station and Broomfield Hospital is changed to run via Chelmer Valley Way and High Bridge Road, with stops at Skerry Rise and Broomfield Angel. An additional stop is added in Chelmsford City Centre at the Army & Navy stops on Parkway. Buses will also call at Bedloes Corner at Rawreth.

Travel alerts last updated 10/05/2024 - Please continue to check the First Bus app and our social media channels for daily travel information.

Please note: we will be operating a Sunday service over the May bank holidays, except for the Airlink service X30, which will run to a Saturday timetable.

Please plan ahead and refer to timetables: Route maps | First Bus 

Ford RideLondon-Essex 100 returns to Great Dunmow on Sunday 26th May 2024.

Due to the location of the race route, the X20 service will be placed on diversion to reduce disruption to journey.

The X20 service will divert, in both directions, via the B1256 and Dunmow Bypass.

The following bus stops will not be served (in both directions):

• Oak Industrial Estate
• Gatehouse Villas
• Station Road
• High Street
• Stortford Road
• The Queen Victoria

This is a pre-planned diversion to help reduce disruption to our X20 service - however, due to the nature of the event, there will be increased congestion in and around the area (traffic and crowds) as well as no definitive timings for the days events i.e. road closures could be lifted early or extended dependant on how long it takes race participants to complete sections of the race. Please take this into consideration when making travel plans.

Good luck to all Ford RideLondon-Essex 100 2024 participants!

Ford RideLondon Classique 2024 returns to Maldon on Saturday 25th May 2024.

Stage 2 - Maldon to Maldon

A number of roads will be temporarily closed to traffic whilst the event takes place - we have listed below pre-planned diversions to reduce disruption to our 75 service to/from Maldon.

Market Hill and High Street will be closed for the majority of the day between 04:00 and 20:00hrs.

There are 4 temporary disruptions to the 75 service on Saturday 25th May 2024 only.

1. SERVICE 75 - PRE-PLANNED DIVERSION between 04:00 - 10:30
2. SERVICE 75 - UNABLE TO SERVE HEYBRIDGE/MALDON between 11:30 - 15:30hrs
3. SERVICE 75 - PRE-PLANNED DIVERSION between 15:30 - 20:00hrs
4. SERVICE 75 - MINOR DELAYS between 11:45 - 12:10hrs

1. SERVICE 75 - PRE-PLANNED DIVERSION between 04:00 - 10:30

towards Maldon - the 75 service will divert after serving Tesco bus stop (Maldon) via Fullbridge, A414, Maldon Bypass, Spital Road, Fambridge Road and Cross Road. The service will terminate at Rydal Drive.

The following bus stops will not be served:

• The Swan Hotel
• Wantz Road
• Victoria Road
• Prom Gates
• Lower Plume School
• Blackwater Leisure Centre

towards Colchester - the 75 service will commence journey at Rydal Drive before diverting via Cross Road, Fambridge Road, Spital Road, Maldon Bypass and A414 before returning to normal line of route to serve Tesco bus stop (Maldon).

The following bus stops will not be served:

• Blackwater Leisure Centre
• Jersey Road
• Meadway
• Berridge House
• Victoria Road
• The Swan Hotel

2. SERVICE 75 - UNABLE TO SERVE HEYBRIDGE/MALDON between 11:30 - 15:30hrs

The Causeway, Heybridge, Maldon WILL BE CLOSED for 4 hours (between 11:30 and 15:30hrs). Due to the location of the road closure - the 75 service will be temporarily unable to serve all Heybridge/Maldon bus stops (from Oak Road to Blackwater Leisure Centre).

The 75 service will terminate at Brewster House bus stop, wait time, and recommence journey at scheduled time back to Colchester. 

3. SERVICE 75 - PRE-PLANNED DIVERSION between 15:30 - 20:00hrs

The pre-planned diversion will be enforced between 04:00 and 10:30 and 15:30 - 20:00 only*.

towards Maldon - the 75 service will divert after serving Tesco bus stop (Maldon) via Fullbridge, A414, Maldon Bypass, Spital Road, Fambridge Road and Cross Road. The service will terminate at Rydal Drive.

The following bus stops will not be served:

• The Swan Hotel
• Wantz Road
• Victoria Road
• Prom Gates
• Lower Plume School
• Blackwater Leisure Centre

towards Colchester - the 75 service will commence journey at Rydal Drive before diverting via Cross Road, Fambridge Road, Spital Road, Maldon Bypass and A414 before returning to normal line of route to serve Tesco bus stop (Maldon).

The following bus stops will not be served:

• Blackwater Leisure Centre
• Jersey Road
• Meadway
• Berridge House
• Victoria Road
• The Swan Hotel

4. SERVICE 75 - MINOR DELAYS between 11:45 - 12:10hrs

There will be a rolling road closure between Birch and Tiptree (11:45 and 12:10hrs) - the 75 service could be halted for a short time caused minor delays to service.

These are all pre-planned diversions to help reduce disruption to our 75 service - however, due to the nature of the event, there will be increased congestion in and around the area (traffic and crowds) as well as no definitive timings for the days events i.e. road closures could be lifted early or extended dependant on how long it takes race participants to complete sections of the race. Please take this into consideration when making travel plans.

Good luck to all Ford RideLondon Classique 2024 participants!

Ford RideLondon Classique 2024 returns to Colchester on Friday 24th May 2024.

Stage 1 - Saffron Walden to Colchester

A number of roads will be temporarily closed to traffic whilst the event takes place - we have listed below pre-planned diversions to reduce disruption to our Colchester network.

East Hill, Colchester will be closed for the majority of the day between 05:00 and 20:00hrs.

Colchester services that could be temporarily paused for rolling road closures:

Colchester services to be placed on pre-planned diversions: 

• 1A
• 2A
• 87
• 102/104

Service 87

towards Brightlingsea - the 87 service will divert after serving The George bus stop via Queen Street, Magdalen Street, Barrack Street, Hythe Hill and Hythe Station Road before returning to normal line of route.

towards Great Horkesley - the 87 service will divert after serving o/s Tesco Store bus stop (The Hythe) via Hythe Station Road, Hythe Hill and Magdalen Street before returning to normal line of route.

The following bus stops will not be served (in both directions):

• Greyfriars
• The Surgery
• Brook Street
• Greenstead Road
• Kerry Court
• Tabor Road
• Davey Close
• Station Road

Services 1A/2A/102/104

towards Greenstead/Highwoods/Harwich - the 1A/2A/102/104 services will divert after serving The George bus stop via Queen Street, Magdalen Street, Barrack Street, Hythe Hill, Hythe Station Road, Greenstead Road and Harwich Road before returning to normal line of route (the 2A service will further divert via St Andrew's Avenue before returning to normal line of route).

towards Colchester City Centre - the 1A/2A/102/104 services will divert via Greenstead Road (the 2A service will divert beforehand via St Andrew's Avenue and Harwich Road), Hythe Station Road, Hythe Hill and Magdalen Street before returning to normal line of route.

The following bus stops will not be served (in both directions):

• Greyfriars
• The Surgery
• Brook Street
• opp Greenstead Road
• Old Coach Road (1A & 2A only)
• St Andrews Gardens (1A only)

These are all pre-planned diversions to help reduce disruption to our Colchester network - however, due to the nature of the event, there will be increased congestion in and around the area (traffic and crowds) as well as no definitive timings for the days events i.e. road closures could be lifted early or extended dependant on how long it takes race participants to complete sections of the race. Please take this into consideration when making travel plans.

Good luck to all Ford RideLondon Classique 2024 participants!

*Please note. this service update was amended at 12:00 02/04/2024

Reason for amendment: Unable to access Navigation Road - diversions revised.

A section of Springfield Road, Chelmsford will be closed to traffic from Tuesday 2nd April to Wednesday 26th June 2024 - Essex Highways is widening the junction. This is a partial road closure - north-bound direction only, between roundabout (for Tesco/Bond Street) and Navigation Road. Due to the location of the roadworks there will likely be delays to all traffic in and around the area.

The following bus services will be placed on diversion:

C8 & C11

towards Chelmsford Bus Station - normal line of route

towards Beaulieu Park - Services C8 & C11 will divert via Parkway, Army & Navy Roundabout, Chelmer Road and Sandford Road before returning to normal line of route on Springfield Road. Town Centre Tesco Store and Boswells Drive bus stop will not be served. The closest alternate bus stop, nearest Tesco, will be Chelmsford Prison. 

47

towards Chelmsford Bus Station - Service 47 will divert via Byron Road, Sandford Road and Springfield Road before returning to normal line of route on Victoria Road. The following bus stops will not be served: Brockley Road, Wharf Road, Town Centre Tesco Store and Boswells Drive. The closest alternate bus stops, nearest Tesco, will be on Victoria Road (Riverside Inn/Riverside Ice and Leisure).

towards Broomfield Hospital - will not serve Town Centre Tesco Store bus stop. The closest alternate bus stop, nearest Tesco, will be Boswells Drive. 

73

towards Chelmsford Bus Station - normal line of route

towards Maldon - Service 73 will divert via Parkway, Army & Navy Roundabout, Chelmer Road and Sandford Road before returning to normal line of route on Springfield Road. Town Centre Tesco Store and Boswells Drive bus stop will not be served. The closest alternate bus stop, nearest Tesco, will be Chelmsford Prison. 

We apologise for the disruption to your bus journey.

*Please note. this service update was amended at 10:25 on 30/04/2024

Reason for amendment: the dates for the roadworks have been changed - no longer taking place Monday 8th April - Monday 6th May 2024.

A section of road on The Cross, Wivenhoe will be closed from Tuesday 30th April - Monday 24th May 2024.

Due to the location of the road closure the S1, 74B and 87 services will be placed on diversion:

The S1 service will divert, in both directions, via Rectory Road and Belle Vue Road. The following bus stops will not be served: Wivenhoe Cross, Rosabelle Avenue and Co-op.

The 74B service will divert, in both directions, via Rectory Road. The following bus stops will not be served: Wivenhoe Cross, Rosabelle Avenue, Co-op and Cemetery.

The 87 service will divert, in both directions, via Rectory Road*. The following bus stops will not be served: Wivenhoe Cross, Rosabelle Avenue and Co-op.

*The following journeys will divert via Rectory Road and Belle Vue Road.

We apologise for the disruption to your bus journey.

South Essex

From Sunday 14th April, we are making improvements to bus services in South Essex. The 21A bus route, serving Carlton Avenue in Westcliff, will be restored starting Monday 15th April 2024.

Essex Bus 21 / 21A

Revised timetable with some journeys to operate via Carlton Avenue in Westcliff. These journeys will be numbered as route 21A and will provide a bus every hour during the middle of the day on Monday to Friday and Saturdays.

There are no changes to the Sunday timetable. The diversion of route 21 is supported by HM Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan funding, working in partnership with Southend-on-Sea City Council.

To read the full press release, please click here 

New timetable listed below: