WORK on a new link road to make it easier for buses and taxis to reach Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park has finally begun – and could be finished in as little as four months.

Essex County Council is funding the bus route, which will cost around £750,000 and link Ghyllgrove and Cranes Farm Road, slashing the time and distance it takes public transport to get to the park.

The move comes after County Hall negotiated a deal to buy a 270-metre stretch of land bordering Gloucester Park from Basildon Council.

Luke Mackenzie, youth champion at Basildon Council, said: “It’s great news, especially for those who don’t drive and for young people who perhaps can’t afford to pay for taxis.

“People have been waiting for this for a long time.”

Cameras will also be installed along the route to ensure no cars try to take advantage of the new short-cut. Any drivers who do face a fine.

Cyclists and pedestrians will benefit from an upgraded path and improved street lighting.

CCTV will also be installed in the subway under Cranes Farm Road to make the route as safe as possible.

Ralph Morgan, chairman of the Basildon hackney carriage association, said: “It will make it cheaper to take a taxi from the leisure park to the town, but the link will also give taxis the chance to get back up there and clear it a bit quicker.”

However, Mr Morgan had reservations about late-night bus services being introduced.

He said: “I wouldn’t like to be a bus driver with 52 drunks on the bus. If they are going to run late buses, they will need to be marshalled.”

Terri Sargent, Basildon councillor in charge of the environment, said: “We are delighted this scheme is going ahead. It is vital to our residents who use and enjoy the facilities at the Festival Leisure Park.

“This scheme will help the local economy immensely by making the park more accessible throughout the day.”

The county council said the new link will be up and running in between four and six months.

A 40mph limit will be in place along Cranes Farm Road between the two roundabouts leading to the park and Chester Hall Lane.

Norman Hume, councillor for highways in the district, said: “This scheme builds on our work to introduce quality bus and taxi partnerships by linking directly to the popular Festival Leisure Park.”

James Chesters, a spokesperson for First buses, said: “We anticipate it may be as long as six months before anything is open for public transport routes. At this time it is impossible for us to begin to speculate what routes may eventually serve the route.”