- Green campaigner Simon Gittus is urging the council to improve Leigh’s bus infrastructure, pressing for better stops, clearer signage, and electric buses.
- At the next Full Council meeting, he will question officials on how £1.8 million in capital investment will be used to enhance public transport.
- With bus fare caps rising, The Greens argue that at the very least, essential upgrades – like London-style signage – should be implemented to make buses a more viable option.
Simon Gittus, a Green Campaigner and Leigh resident, is pressing the City Council to make urgent improvements to the town’s bus infrastructure, arguing that better public transport is essential to easing congestion and cutting emissions.
At the upcoming Full Council meeting, Simon plans to challenge the portfolio holder, Cllr Paul Collins, overseeing transport, demanding clarity on how a £1.8 million capital investment will be spent. His focus: upgrading bus stops, improving signage, and accelerating the shift toward electric buses.
“If we’re going to reduce the strain on our at-capacity infrastructure, we need to be encouraging people to use the bus more,” Simon said. “Right now, buses are competing against each other, shelters are in disrepair, and signage is often non-existent, making it incredibly difficult for people to even know where the routes run.”
Mr Gittus is calling for what he describes as “London-style” bus stop signage, with clearly marked routes, journey times, and maps – an upgrade he argues is long overdue.
Cllr Richard Longstaff, Green Party Councillor for Leigh Ward, agreed, “In so many cities around Europe people rely on the bus to get around instead of using their cars. It’s about time we change the narrative here in Southend and make buses as accessible to as many people as possible so that anyone and everyone can rely on our bus services.”
His push comes amid recent fare hikes by the Labour government, a move that has drawn criticism from the Green Party. With rising costs making public transport less attractive, The Greens are hoping that – at the very least – basic infrastructure improvements can be fast-tracked.
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Simon Gittus will be asking Cllr Paul Collins at the Full Council meeting on the 20th February the following:
I welcome the proposed investment in our struggling bus network, a long-overdue step toward improving public transport in our communities. Could the portfolio holder clarify how the £1.8 million in capital funding will be allocated? Will this investment include essential upgrades such as a transition to electric vehicles, clearer and more comprehensive signage to help passengers navigate routes with ease, and well-designed green-roofed shelters that offer genuine protection from the elements and support biodiversity? These measures would not only enhance the user experience but also encourage greater uptake of public transport at a time when sustainable travel has never been more important.
Simon can be followed on Social Media at simongittus.green on Facebook and Instagram.