URL: https://democracy.southend.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1576

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Finance and Transport

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Currently there are no commercial bus services with a direct link from London Southend Airport via the east of the City (including Temple Sutton Industrial Site and Eastern Avenue) to the Travel Centre. A decision is required to award the tender to the successful bus operator for a new bus service from London Southend Airport to the Travel Centre (via the East of the City). The new bus service is being procured through open tender with the tender return date 12 June 2026. The bus service is being funded by DfT LA Bus Grant revenue funding for two years (plus 1 year subject to viability) after which the service will be run commercially.

Content: 1.             That the award of the contract for the provision of the new bus service, in accordance with the outcome of the procurement exercise, be approved   2.             That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Environment and Place, in consultation with Cabinet Member for Finance and Transport, to finalise and authorise entering into the contract.  In March 2021, the Department for Transport (DfT) published the National Bus Strategy for England titled Bus Back Better. The Strategy set out the national policy priorities for buses, with an overarching aim: “Our goal is to get bus use back to what it was before the pandemic. Then we want to increase patronage and raise buses’ mode share. We can only do these things by ensuring that buses are an attractive alternative to the car for far more people.”   Currently, there are no commercial bus services with a direct link from LSA via the east of the city (including Temple Farm Industrial Site, Eastern Avenue and Wellesley Hospital) to the Travel Centre.  The proposed new bus service will be half hourly Monday to Friday and hourly on Saturdays. The service will provide the east of the city access to LSA and to the city centre and will support residents within St. Laurence; Prittlewell; St. Luke’s; Southchurch; Victoria; Kursaal; and Milton Wards. See Appendix 1 for the proposed bus route.   This new bus service will also support local businesses along the route and provide connectivity into areas of the city that have no, or very limited, direct bus services linking them to other parts of the city.   This new bus service supports the Southend-on-Sea City Council Corporate Plan priorities by being: safe, clean and green - providing a cleaner and more sustainable transport option and reducing reliance on private car use; caring with a good quality of life for all – supporting residents to remain living independently in the community for as long as possible; proud and prosperous – supporting local businesses; and, led by a transformative, responsive council - addressing local transport needs and delivering outcomes for residents through effective partnership working.  An improved cleaner transport system making Southend a healthier and more accessible place to live, work and visit.    This proposed new service would support access to residents in the east of the city with LSA, the city centre and seafront area.  Providing and supporting people in living, ageing and caring well and remain living independently in the community for as long as possible.  The new bus service also supports thriving businesses, a strong local economy, a healthier, more productive labour market and people proud to live and work in Southend-on-Sea.   This new bus service supports government’s ambitions to get people using public transport and will support access for residents and businesses in St. Laurence; Prittlewell; St. Luke’s; Southchurch; Victoria; Kursaal and Milton Wards.   The new bus service was tendered for a two-year period with the potential to receive a further one-year of support, subject to performance and grant funding.  The tenders were evaluated on the basis of 70% price and 30% quality. The three bids that were received are from existing bus operators who currently operate services within the city. All three bids were compliant and met the requirements of the procurement process.    The majority of the bus route benefits from existing infrastructure. However, six new bus stops are proposed in both directions (northbound & southbound) along the new route.  Also, existing bus stop infrastructure along the route will be upgraded to improve accessibility. DfT Local Area Bus Grant (LABG) capital funding is available and will fund the new and upgraded infrastructure works. The alternative option is not to provide a new bus service and residents will access the Airport, Wellesley Hospital, city centre and leisure facilities as they currently do either by driving, hiring a taxi, or not making the journey at all. Employees working within the industrial areas served by the proposed route would also continue to rely largely on car travel, limiting transport choices and disadvantaging those who do not have access to a private vehicle.

Date of Decision: September 3, 2026