Public Transport for Ashingdon Parish
GETTING ABOUT
We hope that many of you will go on foot or by bicycle to get about our Parish and to neighbouring parishes. Walking and cycling are good for your health and they reduce road congestion, air pollution and noise. There are many pavements and footpaths for walkers; and, in addition to cycling along roads, we hope to add routes where cyclists can ride safely. For journeys not practical on foot or by bike, we list the other modes of transport :
BUS
Since February 2009, Arriva has reduced the number and frequency of No. 7 bus services through Ashingdon Parish to Hockley and Rayleigh. Also, they reduced the No. 8 Bus Services passing near our Parish. The main affect has been a reduction of services. There were 6 buses per hour to/from Hockley (four No. 7 and two No.8) one of each continued to/from Rayleigh. Previously more went to Rayleigh.
Between 0910 and 1400 :
There are five No. 7 buses per hour to Ashingdon Schools and one No.7 per hour continues on to/from Hockley and Rayleigh. See the times below.
There are two No. 8 buses per hour, one to Hockley and one to Rayleigh. Outside those hours, there is one No.8 per hour which always goes to Rayleigh.
So, only one No.7 and one No. 8 run to/from Hockley and Rayleigh. See the times below.
To get to Hockley or Rayleigh :
No. 8 : 22 minutes past each hour - Golden Cross
No. 8 : 25 minutes past each hour - Rectory Road
No. 7 : 52 minutes past each hour - Golden Cross
No. 7 : 56 minutes past each hour - Ashingdon Schools
We have lobbied Arriva for a better service and liaised with Essex County Council, but one policy to improve services would be "Use it, or lose it". The more the public uses our buses, the better our chances of getting lost services reinstated.
No. 7 Bus Services - Arriva Buses run regular No. 7 every day along Ashingdon Road and Greensward Lane. The services run between Shoeburyness, Southend on Sea, Rochford, through East Hawkwell, Ashingdon, Hockley and finally to Rayleigh - Rail Station, then return. The No. 7 bus service runs right through the heart of Ashingdon village. There are 15 bus stops in Ashingdon Parish and another 5 on the Hawkwell side of the main road serving Ashingdon and 2 more in Hockley within yards of the Ashingdon Parish boundary. This is the nearest service for most Parishioners from Ashingdon, South Fambridge and areas near Fambridge Road, Lower Road, Canewdon Road and Rectory Avenue.
No. 407 Bus Service - On school days, the 0700 (No. 7) service from Rayleigh Station passing our village from 0715 to 0725 is called No. 407. It runs nearly the same route as No. 7, but it makes a short detour to pass by Southend High School for Girls and Thorpe Bay High School. There is no similar detour for the return journey after school in the afternoons.
The Timetable for the Number 7 bus is shown on the attached Arriva and Essex County Council links :
1. For ECC - Click on the Link below; 2, Enter : "7"; 3. Click on : "Search"; Select : "7 Shoeburyness"; Click on : "Find Timetable"; Click on : "Show All".
http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/__80256E280053B5B6.nsf/vWeb/6644E7B8E44CF9CC80256F2000470498/$File/7SEsc0308a.pdf?Open
http://pimsinet.essexcc.gov.uk/tmsscripts/webtriplanner.dll/timetableroutes
Arriva Southend, Telephone 0844 800 4411.
No. 8 Bus Services - Arriva Buses run regular No. 8 every day along Rectory Road and Ashingdon Road to and from Rochford for the service between Shoeburyness, Southend on Sea, Rochford, Hawkwell, Hockley and finally to Rayleigh, then return. The No. 8 service runs as near as one sixth of a mile from our Parish near Brays Lane, within half a mile of the next nearest Ashingdon residents in three other areas and up to about 1 mile from the heart of the Ashingdon village. Ashingdon parishioners can use the No.8 bus service in four locations : Near Golden Cross - in front of the old Post Office and in front of Sapwood DIY; In Rectory Road nearly opposite Harewood Avenue and opposite Eastbury Avenue; In Rectory Road reached from Rectory Avenue via the footpath from Devon Gardens opposite Jewsons; At Spa Road and Station Road in Hockley.
The Timetable for the Number 8 bus is shown on the attached Arriva and Essex County Council links :
1. For ECC - Click on the Link below; 2, Enter : "8"; 3. Click on : "Search"; Select : "8 Shoeburyness"; Click on : "Find Timetable"; Click on : "Show All".
http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/__80256E280053B5B6.nsf/vWeb/6644E7B8E44CF9CC80256F2000470498/$File/7SEsc0308a.pdf?Open
http://pimsinet.essexcc.gov.uk/tmsscripts/webtriplanner.dll/timetableroutes
Arriva Southend, Telephone 0844 800 4411.
Arriva Buses run a weekly No. 10 Bus Service every Wednesday with two bus services on that day from Paglesham, Canewdon through Ashingdon, Lower Road, The Dome, past Hullbridge to Rayleigh Station and Rayleigh town centre and one more service on that day between Paglesham, Canewdon and Ashingdon Schools.
The Timetable for the Number 10 bus is shown on the attached Essex County Council link :
1. Click on the Link below; 2, Enter : "10"; 3. Click on : "Search"; Select : "10 Paglesham - Lower Hockley - Rayleigh"; Click on : "Find Timetable"; Click on : "Show All".
http://pimsinet.essexcc.gov.uk/tmsscripts/webtriplanner.dll/timetableroutes
Stephensons Buses runs two daily weekday No. 515 Bus Services every schoolday with a morning service from Great Stambridge, Canewdon, past Ashingdon Schools, Lower Road, The Dome, past Hullbridge to Rayleigh Sweyne School off London Road Rayleigh and Sir Walter Raleigh Drive. The afternoon return service runs in the opposite direction, but then continues beyond Great Stambridge to Rochford, South Street.
The Timetable for the Number 515 bus is shown on the attached Essex County Council link :
1. Click on the Link below; 2, Enter : "515"; 3. Click on : "Search"; Select : "515 Great Stambridge - Canewdon"; Click on : "Find Timetable"; Click on : "Show All".
http://pimsinet.essexcc.gov.uk/tmsscripts/webtriplanner.dll/timetableroutes
Stephensons Buses runs two daily weekday No. 20X Bus Services every schoolday with a morning service from Rochford, through Ashingdon past Ashingdon Schools, Lower Road, The Dome, into Hullbridge Village to The Anchor, to Rayleigh Sweyne School off London Road Rayleigh and Sir Walter Raleigh Drive. The afternoon return service runs in the opposite direction. The Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday return services run 55 minutes later than on Thursday and Friday.
The Timetable for the Number 20X bus is shown on the attached Essex County Council link :
1. Click on the Link below; 2. Enter : "20X"; 3. Click on : "Search"; 4. Select : "20X Rochford - Rayleigh"; 5. Click on : "Find Timetable"; 6. Click on : "Show All".
http://pimsinet.essexcc.gov.uk/tmsscripts/webtriplanner.dll/timetableroutes
NO PUBLIC TRANSPORT - Areas with no regular daily public transport passing through are : South Fambridge, Canewdon Road, Brays Lane, Hyde Wood Lane, Lower Road, Rectory Avenue and their side roads. People in those areas have to go to Ashingdon Road, Greensward Lane or Rectory Road.
TRAVELINE - This is a public transport Info service from The Essex County Council 7 days per week from 7am to 10pm, providing bus and train service details and times. Tell them your postcode and where you want to go for details on routes and times.
Telephone 0871 200 2233, or online www.traveline.info
BUS PASS - The "concessionary bus pass" is a photo pass issued by Rochford District Council which permits free bus travel within the county of Essex including Southend on Sea and Thurrock on services after 9.00am. Eligibility for the concessionary bus pass is that the holder must be at least 60 years age, or must be eligible disabled.
From 1st April 2008, the pass will permit free bus travel anywhere in England for "local bus service" journeys starting after 9.30am until 11.00pm on Monday to Friday and at any time on weekends and public holidays. The concessions do not apply for long distance bus or coach services, nor for rail, underground, trams and urban metro services.
Telephone 01702 318189, or online www.rochford.gov.uk
SHOPPING BUSES - A three times per week free service is provided by ASDA Superstore at Shoebury from Ashingdon. It starts in villages beyond ours such as Hulbridge, Lower Hockley, The Dome and runs via Lower Road, past Fambridge Road, past Canewdon Road, through our village, down Ashingdon Road and continues all the way to the superstore and allows 2 hours of shopping before the return journey.
Days operated : Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - every week except public holidays.
The ASDA Free Bus times are as follows :
From Fambridge Road - 09.12 ("Ashingdon Schools")
From The Golden Cross - 09.21
Arrival at ASDA superstore - 09.50
Return journey departure - 11.50
Arrival time in Ashingdon - 12.20 approximately.
ASDA Telephone : 01702 382500
The No.7 and No.8 buses go into the ASDA Superstore centre on every service, so those who cannot catch the free ASDA bus can go to ASDA on any of the scheduled 7 and 8 services.
The No. 9 bus goes past Morrison Safeway in Western Approaches and the connection with the No. 7 and 8 is at Warners Bridge, Southend Airport.
The No. 15, 15B and 16 buses go into the Tesco Superstore centre fom 6.40am to 6.20pm and back from Tescos from 7.40am to 6.35pm and the connection with the No. 7 and 8 is at The Bell at the junction of Hobleythick Lane and Prince Avenue.
The No. 7 and 8 buses pass The Victoria Shopping Centre in Chichester Road within 300 yards of Sainsbury store in London Road.
SCHOOL BUSES - A number of Essex County Council contract bus services run through Ashingdon during term times on routes not served by the No.7 bus to take school-children to and from some schools.
See the Schools bus services listed above : No. 515 and No. 20X
AIRPORT BUS SERVICES - TO STANSTED AIRPORT
The X30 Service runs 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, every hour, on the hour and at certain busy times every half hour from both Southend on Sea and from Stansted Airport. It starts in Chichester Road, Southend on Sea and runs via Kent Elms, Rayleigh Rail Station, Chelmsford Bus Station, Barnston (for Great Dunmow) to Stansted Airport and vice versa. The journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes each way. Firstgroup, Telephone 01268 525251
From Stansted Airport it is possible to connect with coach services throughout the UK on National Express, Telephone 0870 574 7777.
From Stansted there are direct train services as far as Birmingham. This train service connects London Stansted with Cambridge, Ely, Peterborough, Leicester and Birmingham. It is possible to connect at Peterborough for trains to Leeds, York, Newcastle and Scotland; And to connect at Leicester for trains to Derby and Sheffield. CrossCountry Trains, Telephone 0844 811 0124.
AIRPORT BUS SERVICES - TO HEATHROW, GATWICK AND LUTON AIRPORTS
The X10 service which starts in Rochford and runs through Southend on Sea goes to Victoria Coach Station in Central London where there are connecting coach services to Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport.
NATIONAL BUS SERVICES - TO LONDON
There are weekday services to London Monday to Friday on the X10 service from Rochford via Southend, Hadleigh, Pitsea, Dagenham, Canary Wharf, The City to London Victoria Coach Station linking with nationwide and international services. Two buses each way : From Rochford at 0600, from Southend at 0614, arriving at Victoria 0820; From Rochford at 0635, from Southend at 0649, arriving at Victoria 0854. The return journeys : leave Victoria at 1650 arriving at Rochford at 1856; And, leave Victoria at 1730 arriving at Rochford at 1930. Stephensons, Telephone 01702 541511.
NATIONAL BUS SERVICES - TO LIVERPOOL
There is a cross-country NX305 service from Southend to Liverpool by National Express which runs every day from Southend on Sea via Basildon, Chelmsford, Cambridge, Bedford, Northampton, Coventry, Birmingham (Airport and City), Newcastle under Lyme, Warrington then to Liverpool. It leaves Southend on Sea daily 7 days per week at 0845 and arrives at Birmingham by 1535 and at Liverpool by 1935. The return journey leaves Liverpool at 0900 and arrives at Birmingham at 1245 and at Southend by 1935. Telephone 08717 818181 or online www.nationalexpress.com
CAR
The Essex County Council provides a network for a car sharing scheme for people making journeys at regular routes and times, so that they can save money, get there quicker, reduce congestion, reduce vehicle pollution and go with someone else.
Ashingdon and South Fambridge are villages in a rural area. The No 7 bus services run at frequent regular intervals from early morning to late evening with fewer services on Sundays & Public Holidays. They run along defined routes from Rayleigh via Hockley through Ashingdon to Rochford, Southend on Sea to Shoeburyness. Outside those hours, there are no bus services. Also, there are no bus services to South Fambridge and to other areas of our Parish.
Many parishioners have to make journeys by car at times, to destinations and in circumstances which are not possible, not practical nor readily available by bus. For those journeys, a car is essential – for you and for others making the same trips at the same times.
When the journeys are at regular times and to regular origins and destinations, it may be possible to arrange for car sharing with other people making similar journeys. It is often called “Liftshare”, or ECC call it “TravelBUDi”. ECC uses this service for their employees and so do many other institutions in the County such as some district councils, the universities, Essex & Suffolk Water, NHS trusts, etc.
To get details on how it is done and to register for car sharing, check details at :
Online : www.essextravelbudi.com Email : travelplanteam@essexcc.gov.uk
By telephone - Register on : 0845 603 7631
Online : www.liftshare.org Email : info@liftshare.com
By telephone - Register on : 08700 780225; Book a trip on : 08700 111199
RAIL
The nearest Railway Stations are at Rochford and Hockley, both 2 miles (3 km) away from the top of Ashingdon village. They provide regular services every day to Southend on Sea - Victoria; and to London - Liverpool Street or further afield by changing trains at Wickford, Shenfield, Romford, Stratford and London - Liverpool Street. The distances by road to Hockley Station are much shorter for pedestrians using Footpaths: 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 15, 16, 17, 21 and Beckney Wood routes.
National Express - East Anglia run very frequent services between Southend on Sea - Victoria to London - Liverpool Street via our nearest stations - Rochford and Hockley.
The services run every day and are never less than 3 trains per hour in both directions.
Train journey times are mostly about 50 minutes, with a few at about 55, 60 and 70 minutes depending on the numbers of stops and rush hour times.
Between 4.00 and 5.00 there are more than 4 trains per hour.
Between 5.00 and 6.00 there are more than 4 trains per hour.
Between 6.00 and 7.00 there are more than 5 trains per hour.
Between 7.00 and 8.00 there are more than 9 trains per hour.
Between 8.00 and 9.00 there are more than 5 trains per hour.
The first train from Rochford to London is : 0408 arriving LON at 0517
The first train from London to Rochford is : 0526 arriving RCH at 0627
The last train from Rochford to London is : 2312 arriving LON at 0003
The last train from London to Rochford is : 0050 arriving RCH at 0144
Train times for Hockley are 4 minutes later "To London" and 4 minutes earlier "From London".
The first train from Rochford permitting cheapday / excursion fares is the 0912 arriving LON at 10.04.
Tel. 0845 600 7245 www.onerailway.com
Another railway line known as “The Crouch Valley Line” can be seen from Ashingdon. That is the Wickford to Burnham on Crouch and Southminster Line on the other side of the River Crouch, less than two miles away. In days gone by, long ago, a ferry used to cross the River Crouch to take passengers to and from North Fambridge village and gave access to its railway station.
To join services on The Crouch Valley Line - take a train to Wickford and change trains there.
There is a second railway line network called C2C from Shoeburyness and Southend on Sea to London - Fenchurch Street.
Tel. 0845 601 4873 www.c2c-online.co.uk
For train services to our County Town - Chelmsford, to Colchester and beyond in East Anglia on The Great Eastern network, take a train from Rochford or Hockley to Shenfield and change trains there.
Tel. 0845 600 7245 www.onerailway.com
The Timetable for Train Services is shown on the attached Essex County Council link :
1. Click on the Link below; 2, Enter : "Rochford" in "From"; 3. Enter : "Station" in "and/or Stop"; 4. Enter : "London" in "To"; 5. Enter : "Liverpool Street" in "and/or Stop"; 6. Select a date or days of the week in "When"; 7. Click on : "Find Timetable"; Click on : "Show All".
http://pimsinet.essexcc.gov.uk/tmsscripts/webtriplanner.dll/timetablestops
COMMUNITY TRANSPORT
Ashingdon Parish Council pays annual contributions to a local community transport charity which serves Ashingdon and nearby communities. The Wyvern District Community Transport operates two minibuses with wheelchair access lifts. They mostly operate on call and by prior booking for the benefit of needy parishioners. Telephone 01702 544551.
TAXI
Taxi services are available locally from Rochford, Rayleigh, Ashingdon, Hockley and Hullbridge :
From Rochford Town and Station : Andrews Taxis - Telephone 01702 200200
From Rayleigh : Bestax Taxis - Telephone 01268 777300; RT Taxis - 778000
From Ashingdon : Apex Cars - Telephone 01702 531222
From Hockley Town and Station : A1 Taxis - 01702 206600
From Hullbridge : Hullbridge Taxis - Telephone 01702 233299
From Southend : Southend Radio Cars - 01702 332233; AC Radio Cabs 334455
MINIBUS AND AIRPORT CARS
Minibus transport and airport transport are available locally from :
Advance Minibuses, Telephone 01702 207000
Alans Airport Taxis, Telephone 01702 541911
Black Tie Chauffeurs Telephone 01702 216679
Blueline Travel, Telephone 0844 800 0061
COACH
If you need to hire a coach for an outing, there are several local coach hire firms. The nearest are in Canewdon, in Hockley and in Rochford, with more in Rayleigh and Southend on Sea. The main coach hire firms are :
Amber Coaches, Rawreth Industrial Estate, Rayleigh. Tel. 01268 786550
BJS Travel, 61a High Street, Great Wakering. Tel. 01702 219403
Blue Line Travel, Scaldhurst Farm, Canewdon. Tel. 01702 258118
Cooks Coaches, 607 London Road, Westcliff on Sea. Tel. 01702 344702
Crest Coaches, 1 Dalys Road, Rochford. Tel. 01702 543663
Kirby’s Coaches, 2 Princess Road, Rayleigh. Tel. 01268 777777
Matthews Travel, 15 Fountain Lane, Hockley. Tel. 01702 207090
SBC Leisure, 39 Hillside Road, Eastwood. Tel. 01702 522317
Stephensons, Riverside Estate, Rochford. Tel. 01702 541511
Supreme Coaches, Stock Road, Southend on Sea. Tel. 01702 440230
AIR
SOUTHEND AIRPORT is 3 miles away from the heart of Ashingdon for those flying from there. It takes as little as 10 minutes to drive there. Quick check-in and baggage claim times and very affordable parking are the benefits of flying from Southend Airport.
A consultation process to assess the opinions of The Public in Rochford District and Southend on Sea Borough is in progress and has been extended to 15 May 2009. Click here to view details and find out how to make submissions :
http://www.rochford.gov.uk/rdc/main.asp?page=1527&atoz=1
London Southend Airport and Environs Joint Area Action Plan Consultation period is extended until 15 May 2009 In order to increase opportunities for people to put forward their views on the London Southend Airport and Environs Joint Area Action Plan Preferred Options document, the deadline to submit comments has been extended until 15 May 2009.
Southend Borough Council and Rochford District Council are in the process of preparing a Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) in response to the challenges and opportunities offered by London Southend Airport, together with an airport related employment cluster.
Area Action Plans are a new style of planning document which are targeted at areas of significant change or conservation.
The JAAP will provide the basis for coordinating the actions of a range of partners with an interest in the London Southend Airport and environs and establish planning policies until 2021.
STANSTED AIRPORT is 40 miles away from the heart of Ashingdon for those flying from there. It takes on average 50 to 60 minutes to drive there via Chelmsford. Quicker check-in and baggage claim times and cheaper parking costs than Heathrow and Gatwick are the benefits of flying from Stansted Airport.
LONDON CITY AIRPORT is 30 miles away from the heart of Ashingdon for those flying from there. It takes on average 40 to 60 minutes to drive there via the A13. Quicker check-in and baggage claim times and cheaper parking costs than Heathrow and Gatwick are the benefits of flying from City Airport.
AIR AMBULANCE - Ashingdon Parish Council pays annual contributions to the Essex Air Ambulance charity which operates a helicopter from Boreham Airfield near Chelmsford for the rapid medical attendance and transport of accident victims and emergency patients.
