Day-trippers are being urged to not visit Southend via public transport this Bank Holiday weekend in a bid to keep key workers safe.
Rail operators c2c, Greater Anglia and James Duddridge MP are reminding people who may be tempted to travel to Southend that trains and other modes of public transport are running for essential journeys only.
With the warm weather forecast for the extended weekend, Government guidance remains that people must stay at home as much as possible and only go outside for a limited set of reasons set out by law.
Julian Drury, c2c Managing Director, said:
"Even though we're running our full timetable, social distancing means that capacity on our trains remains extremely limited. Our staff are working hard to provide a service for people making essential journeys to work, including weekend workers. We cannot be more clear: please do not use c2c for leisure journeys at this time."
James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, added:
“In usual times we would be welcoming visitors with open arms, but we must put the nation’s health first and avoid a second peak. We owe it to our key workers working over the Bank Holiday weekend to keep public transport free so they can maintain social distancing and get around safely. So if you are considering getting on a bus or train to visit Southend, please ask yourself: ‘Is this journey really necessary?’”
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, said:
“While it may be tempting to visit some of the great destinations on our network, government advice is to avoid public transport unless it’s absolutely essential, to help us keep our trains and stations safe for those who have to use them, such as key workers. Anyone who does need to make an essential journey should follow government advice and use a face covering.
“We would like to thank customers for listening to government advice, and our staff for their continued hard work and dedication in keeping the railway running.”
For the latest Government advice for the Bank Holiday weekend, visit gov.uk/coronavirus.
