Threats on drivers stops First Bus service in Hullbridge

First Bus Group announced it will no longer run the 20 service between Ferry Road and Coventry Corner in Hullbridge after 8pm after reports of antisocial behaviour at the Ferry Road stop.

Colm Boyle, 57, of Windermere Avenue has said the decision taken by the bus group was “unfair” on the commuters who need the bus service in the evening.

He added the he believed refunds had not been given to users who’d taken the bus that morning.

He said: “Yesterday I saw around 20 people walking up the hill from Ferry Road after the bus stopped.

“This is not fair on the people of Hullbridge and for a big company like First to treat paying customers like this is not right. I think this is sad, if someone is misbehaving, they should not punish the rest of us.”

First Bus Group announced the decision on Twitter on Wednesday morning.

Dan Worley, operations manager at First Hadleigh, said: “It is disappointing to announce that we have been forced to withdraw running our service 20 in Hullbridge between Coventry Corner and the terminal at the end of Ferry Road after 8pm in the evening for the foreseeable future to protect the safety and welfare of our staff and passengers who are travelling to and from the area.

“We have been experiencing several incidents recently involving antisocial behaviour by a group of young people who have used threatening behaviour, caused disruption and damage to our buses, we are however working with the police to try and apprehend the people involved to put a stop to this activity.”

Following the announcement, Chief Insp Glen Westley, district commander for Castle Point, said there have been no reports of antisocial behaviour made to Essex Police by the bus company. He said: “I have nothing in front of me at all, and I do not know of any antisocial behaviour in Hullbridge in Ferry Road. If First do have issues and their drivers do not feel safe, I can put them in touch with our community policing team.”