Purpose

Pursuant to Minute No. 104 of
the meeting of Cabinet held on 3rd March 2025, the
Executive Director (Environment & Place), in consultation with
Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Public Transport, was
authorised to approve the final details of the new bus service and
tender documents and the appointment of the successful bus
operator.

Content

The Cabinet considered a report
of the Executive Director (Environmental and Waste) presenting
proposals to introduce a new bus service from London Southend
Airport and the Airport Business Park to Leigh-on-Sea Railway
Station.
 
Councillor Aylen attended the
meeting and addressed the Cabinet on the matter.
 
Resolved:
 
1. That the procurement to
tender a new bus service from London Southend Airport and the
Airport Business Park to Leigh-on-Sea Rail Station, be
approved.
 
2. That authority be delegated
to the Executive Director (Environment and Place), in consultation
with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets, Investments and Public
Transport, to finalise the details of the new bus service and
tender documents and appointment of the successful bus
operator.
 
Reasons for
decision:
 
This new bus service supports
the government’s ambitions to get people using public
transport and will support access for residents and businesses in
St Laurence, Eastwood Park, Belfairs, Blenheim Park, Leigh and West
Leigh wards.
 
Other options:
 
Not to provide a new bus
service and residents will access Leigh as they currently do either
by driving, hiring a taxi, travelling to the city centre to access
a bus service to Leigh, or not making the journey at
all.  Also, workers at the industrial
areas along the route will continue to access these sites by car
and hinder those that do not have access to a car.
 
Note: This is an Executive
Function
Not eligible for
call-in
Cabinet Member: Cllr
Collins