The Maldon & Heybridge Transport & Bus Users Group held their inaugural meeting at Maldon Town Hall on Wednesday night (September 20).

Councillor Jane Fleming, Essex County Councillor for Maldon, led the meeting, where residents discussed how to improve public transport links throughout the Maldon District.

It was revealed the district has the highest proportion of car use compared to the rest of Essex, and that travel times to local services are 32 minutes longer than the county average.

Last night, individual committee roles were filled, and members decided to hold future meetings at 2pm. That is to ensure public transport users can attend and get involved with discussions.

The results of Essex County Council's 'Maldon Future Transport' strategy consultation are due to be published soon. It received more than 500 responses.

"Residents and bus users need to be on the front foot for whatever comes back from the analysis," Cllr Fleming told members.

"Large parts of the district are poorly served."

Andy Ambrose, General Manager at Essex and Suffolk DaRT, was present. A member of the public praised the DaRT, operated by Arrow Taxis, as a "brilliant and valuable service".

"But the advertising is pathetic – nobody knows it exists," she told Mr Ambrose.

"People can't believe something that good exists."

Car ownership is higher in the Maldon district than the regional or national average, at 89 per cent. Meanwhile, the population is set to grow from 66,200 in 2021 to 73,135 by 2035. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

2011 Census data showed 71 per cent of residents travelled to work by car or van. Meanwhile, sustainable travel options including trains, buses, cycling, and walking made up 20 per cent of all commutes. Nine per cent were made on foot, which is lower than the Essex average. Only two per cent commuted by bike.

Cllr Fleming says while the 2011 data is "too out of date", the council opted to use that over the 2021 census, "as it would have been skewed by the pandemic".

Maldon Town Mayor, Councillor Andrew Lay, and Deputy Mayor, Martin Harvey, were also present.

Cllr Lay said he would like to see "more integration from the new developments and suburbs with local public transport links".

The next transport users' meeting will be held on the November 6 at 2pm. To join the group, get in touch via email.

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