A Wickford councillor has vowed to fight to get refunds for bus-pass holders after cuts to services left pensioners on a local estate virtually cut off.

Cllr Alan Banton made his pledge at a crowded meeting of the Wickford Area Committee, in response to a series of outbursts from residents of the Wick estate furious at the Thamesway Bus Company's decision to cut their bus services.

Local people insisted that the changes have left their estate with next to no bus links with the rest of the town.

In the absence of the Thamesway representative, who failed to arrive, one resident turned on the local councillors: "You take our rates so you should put on the buses. We want a bus. We are entitled to one. All we are doing is subsidising Basildon."

And one 85-year-old Great Oaks resident added: "I paid £80.60 for a bus pass but now I can't even get down the road."

Cllr Banton, the chairman of the area committee, responded: "We will try to push the council to reimburse those people who have actually forked out for their bus passes but can't now use them. We are on your side.

"We support you, we understand your problems and yes we will support your fight."

He also pointed out that Basildon Council has passed a motion demanding that the changes be reversed and asking Essex County Council to make sure that Thamesway is aware of the public outcry that they have provoked.

But Cllr Malcolm Buckley, leader of the Conservative group on Basildon Council, rejected calls for a bus-pass refund and went on: "It's all very well for Alan to talk about motions going through council, but the council has no power to impose on bus companies."

He added that Wickford County councillor Iris Pummell is negotiating with Thamesway to have one of its Basildon to Shotgate services rerouted via the Wick.

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