Bus chiefs have dropped plans to divert a school bus away from the scene of a horrific accident.

The 512 service from Chelmsford to Southend collided with a car last month in Potash Road, Billericay, injuring 32 schoolchilden.

A new route - avoiding Potash Road - had been lined up but was rejected at a meeting between councillors, police, highways officers and bus company, First National.

Bob Farrell, from the schools consortium which organises 16 school bus routes in Essex, said everyone agreed Potash Road remained the safest route possible.

The group had considered diverting through the nearby Bridleway estate or through the town centre.

But, Mr Farrell insisted: "It is not an accident blackspot - there has not been a crash there for two and a half years. Anything else would have been a knee jerk reaction"

Proposals for a rerouting through Bridleway sparked considerable anger from residents who started a petition and even threatened to block off Mercer Road in protest.

Billericay Town Council chairman, Trevor Stansfield, said it was unacceptable to use the Bridleway estate as it had never been designed as a through road.

He added: "This decision is not ideal but Potash Road was a through road before the houses were built. If you drive in accordance with the signs it is possible to get round without any problems."

A spokesman for First National said he was pleased with the meeting which had recognised Potash Road to be the "only acceptable" route.

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