THE county council has decided to work with bus operators in a new partnership to improve the bus network across Maldon district and the Dengie Peninsula - including a plan which will see bus operators taking on legal commitments on bus frequency and fares.

Essex County Council's (ECC) Cabinet decided on Tuesday (28 June) to use the Bus Services Act 2017 to create an Enhanced Partnership (EP) in Essex.

The EP will mean bus operators and the council will work together to make legally binding commitments on everything from ticketing and fares to service frequency.

An Essex County Council spokesperson said: "The Enhanced Partnership is being created to develop a package of measures across the county, which includes all areas of the Maldon District, which will transform the bus network over the coming years, with a long-term goal to grow the county network, reduce carbon and air quality emissions from car traffic as well as reducing congestion, supporting jobs and the local economy and making our communities better places to live.

"Further details will be set out in Essex's Bus Service Improvement Plan in the autumn."