From December 11th 2005, the date of the next timetable change, weekend services via Thurrock will start and terminate at Pitsea, rather than Southend Central.

We appreciate that the existing weekend services to Southend have been in addition to c2c’s Passenger Service Requirement, which specifies the minimum service levels that c2c can provide under their franchise.

However, we are concerned that many Thurrock passengers who need to travel onwards from Pitsea - those with children in tow (and perhaps a push chair/pram to struggle with as well), elderly and infirmed people, and those with luggage or shopping - will be placed into a unnecessarily stressful situation, with a very high footbridge to negotiate, in a short space of time if the inward train isn’t dead on time, with many being stranded on the wrong platform as this navigation will be just impossible. c2c have indicated to us that there will be a 5 minute window between arrival of Thurrock trains and the main line “connection”. They have also confirmed that the incoming main line service would not be held to enable these passengers to complete their journeys across the footbridge, with we believe, the inevitable consequence that many will fail to make the connection and be faced with anything up to a 30 minute wait for the next incoming service if they do manage to successfully negotiate the bridge.

Safety concerns about the surrounding area and the manning of Pitsea station are also paramount in our minds, will there be staff available on the platforms to assist and direct passengers in need of help?

We note that there is a viable alternative of terminating Thurrock trains at Leigh on Sea, rather than Pitsea, which will allow a same platform connection for onward journeys to Southend and Shoeburyness to be made at Benfleet, and still allow c2c to make substantial cost savings.

Obviously we would prefer services to be maintained as they are now, as the break of journey at Pitsea, and the inaccessibility between the station platforms can only act as a disincentive for rail travel and encourage more road use, whilst disenfranchising a vulnerable section of the community. It seems incontrovertible that this change runs contrary to c2c’s own stated philosophy, “We aim to provide a service that is convenient, affordable, reliable, effortless and safe”, let alone the warm words in its Disability policy. It also flies in the face of their statement that they wish to increase off peak travel and takes away the incentive and benefit for Thurrock rail passengers to take advantage of free entrance to Southend attractions if they travel by rail. What price equality and inclusion if you don’t live on the “main line”?

Updated 14/11/2005