FURIOUS public transport users in Warley fear they will become cut off and lose a vital lifeline when buses stop serving them from next month.
From May 5, the 73A and 73B bus routes between the Bishops Hall Estate in Pilgrims Hatch and Eagle Way in Warley will no longer stop in Woodman Road or Clements Park.
The decision was taken by bus operator First, which claimed that the changes had "widely been received as positive".
However, residents with whom the Gazette spoke told a different story.
Clements Park resident Laurence Barnett, 72, said he and wife Thelma, 69, along with his neighbours, could be cut off when the changes are implemented.
"I think it's absolutely outrageous," he said.
"It's affecting a lot of people.
"It's a good 20 minute walk from here to Brentwood train station which many elderly residents would struggle with.
"One of our neighbours has a stick to aid his walking. He uses the bus regularly but now he won't be able to go anywhere."
Mr Barnett believes First Group did not consult properly with bus users over its plans.
"We only heard about this when my wife spoke to one of the bus drivers," he said.
"To take the decision without any consultation and to not ask us is terrible.
"It's an essential lifeline to people."
He added: "Have the council not fought this decision? Could they offer to pay a subsidy to keep the service running?"
Lilian Matthews, 79, of Nita Road, Warley, described First's decision as "disgusting".
"Elderly people cannot walk the length of Woodman Road – it's a hell of a way," she said.
"They just don't think, do they? There are a lot of elderly people who won't be able to walk up the hill."
Retired bank manager Michael Hardy, 69, is the vice-chairman of Brentwood Town Centre Renaissance Group.
He said: "First haven't been informing people of what is happening – I only know because I went looking for it on the internet.
"I am concerned that many residents won't know what the changes are and will suddenly find themselves without a bus or a completely different service."
He continued: "I presume the changes are to try to make more money out of the buses but a lot of it is cutting back on services that many people rely on."
David Kendall, the secretary of the Brentwood Bus and Rail Users' Association, said he had queried the changes with Essex County Council but is still awaiting a response.
He said: "It will also be very frustrating because when the Clements Park estate was built a lot of money was spent on installing raised kerb bus stops along the route, along with a few bus shelters.
"If there is no bus service going through Clements Park it will be seen as a complete waste of money."
A spokesman for First Buses said: "Any changes to service undergo significant review and analysis before they are made final.
"On the whole, the changes have been widely received as positive ones. However, it is always regrettable when customers are impacted negatively by a review.
"We have presented the possibility of running a council-operated service for those passengers affected by the changes, and we believe that Essex County Council will be making a decision shortly."
A spokesman for Essex County Council said: "The county council is aware of the changes and is considering its response."
