A long-established independent coach company has stepped in to save the day, following cuts in bus services.

Florida Coaches, based in Sudbury Road, Halstead, will be providing vital services after First merged the 352 direct service between Halstead and Chelmsford into other routes, including the 21 and 70.

Florida Coaches will run one express service in the morning and one in the afternoon, linking Halstead to Gosfield, Braintree railway station and bus park, Great Leighs, Broomfield Hospital and Chelmsford.

Although exact times and fares have yet to be confirmed, Florida Coaches hopes to arrive in Chelmsford for 8.40am and leave Chelmsford at 5.10pm.

The company will also run an hourly “hopper” service through Halstead, linking the town centre with the Bluebridge industrial estate and residential areas, including Ramsey Road, Abels Road, White Horse Avenue, Conies Road, Ronald Road, Tidings Hill, Ravens Avenue and Stanstead Road.

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