SOUTHEND bus users are furious over disruptions to Arriva’s number nine service to Shoebury East Beach, which forced a 92-year-old passenger to walk from a train station.

The disruptions, which began last weekend, were caused by gas works operating at Rampart Street between George Street and Dane Street, resulting in the number nine bus terminating at Blackgate Road, by Shoebury train station.

The amended bus route however, caused considerable delays and stress to less able passengers who had to walk long distances.

Tricia Cawdrey, Labour candidate for Shoeburyness Ward, expressed her concerns over the recent disruptions.

She said: “Drivers need to warn passengers. My poor 92-year-old dad really struggled to walk home from Blackgate Road at 10.30pm last night. If he had known he would have sought an alternative.

“I am very concerned, not only for my elderly father but for all the other older and infirm residents who have been isolated or forced to walk long distances in pain due to the changes in the bus routes and the constant uncertainty as to where the buses will terminate on a day to day basis.”

Claire Duncombe, posted on Facebook: “I can’t believe I’ve wasted money on bus passes today for the week for me to get my child to school, wish I’d had known before hand.

Amanda Drain-Wilsher, posted on Facebook: “This is disgusting, I use number nine every day but the recent service has been awful.

“I had an appointment yesterday waiting at the bus stop with the board saying bus is due, elderly people were waiting to as they depend on this service, but no notices were put up. It was lucky a couple walked past who told us the buses weren’t coming to the beach as they used the number nine in the morning.

“The passengers should have been told when getting on the bus. Come on Arriva pull your fingers out.”

An Arriva spokesman said: “Due to parking restrictions not being adhered to on George Street, the road was not wide enough for buses to pass through. As a result, buses did terminate at Shoeburyness Station.

“We have been informed Southend council has not put the parking restrictions in place in George Street, Shoebury, therefore the buses are still terminating at Shoebury Station.

A Southend Council spokesman said:“We have implemented temporary parking restrictions on both George Street and Dane Street, Shoeburyness to help accommodate the bus route while planned gas works take place in the area. This is alongside a temporary traffic regulation order which has temporarily made George Street two-way.”