People power has won the day in the battle to restore axed bus services in Basildon.

Bus operator Thamesway and Essex County Council have clubbed together to reinstate two bus routes in Basildon and Wickford.

The routes fell victim to a controversial shake-up of services by Thamesway earlier this year.

They were among a handful scrapped in an attempt to streamline services and concentrate services within Basildon town centre.

Now people power, led by Basildon Council chairman Bob Sears, has forced a re-think.

An hourly service will begin on June 1 between Laindon and Basildon town centre, via Great Berry and Laindon shopping centre.

A second service will run between Shotgate in Wickford to Runwell Hospital, run by Essex County Council. Both services will be on a five-month trial basis.

Councillor Sears said: "I have had several conversations with Thamesway and they have been very accommodating.

"The pensioners were complaining that buses were not running to Laindon shopping centre so we have sorted that out.

"This is a good illustration of how Basildon Council can work with the pensioners and Thamesway to resolve things."

Thamesway launched its £500,000 fleet of five Famous Five buses in February, ferrying passengers between Basildon and Pitsea every five minutes.

It was joined by the Super Eight fleet, running every eight minutes between Laindon and Pitsea via Basildon.

However, the move was at the expense of less frequent fringe services in Billericay, Wickford and Laindon.

The Wickford service - a new route - will run from the Shotgate Post Office to Runwell Hospital via Wick Meadows, between 9.30am and 1.30pm.

The Laindon service will operate from Willowfields and Kathleen Ferrier Crescent to Laindon shopping centre and Basildon between 9.15am and 2pm.

Thamesway traffic manager Chris McCormick said: "We are delighted to be able to take the opportunity to try these services in conjunction with the county council and hope it will be successful so we can continue them."

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