A ROUTE of a borough bus service has been shortened because of adverse road conditions at Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury.

Among those affected are a small group of students at St Clere's School in Stanford-le-Hope who will now be dropped at the edge of the village as the bus operators can no longer use the turning circle at the fort because of a huge pothole.

Parents of affected pupils were told: "We have been asked by Passenger Transport Unit to pass the following information on to the parents of children travelling on Bus 0037.

"From tonight (14/7/21) until the end of this term the students will have to meet the bus at the top of the village due to an overhanging tree and a massive pothole in the fort car park which is causing damage to the bus."

Asked by Nub News if the council had any plans to resolve the problems at Coalhouse Fort, a Thurrock Council spokesperson said: "The issues will be looked at during the six week school summer holiday. This change affects 14 pupils for five school days, the additional walk is less than five minutes.

"They will use the alternative collection and drop-off point which is used when flooding prevents access to the usual stop."

As long ago as last summer Thurrock Council has been under pressure for a perceived lack of commitment to Coalhouse Fort, and little has been done to mainatin the site over the past two years when areas like the car park have fallen into disrepair.

Last August Nub News reported that a new group had been formed to try and force the council to do more at the historic site.