New bus shelters around Stansted were installed in early October after a further month’s delay, but in time for the autumn and winter wind and rain. The revised bus service to Stortford is far from ideal, with the two services 7 and 301 timed to trail each other within a few minutes in each direction. In fact I was on a 301 that was competing for space with a number 7 at the Silver Street lay-by. The poor timing has been pointed out to the county council, but no solution is on offer.  

However, from November 15^th the Arriva 510 service between the airport and Harlow centre will be diverted via Forest Hall Road.This bus will use Walson Way when the road opens early next year. The 510 service will provide a direct service every 20 minutes for much of the day to the airport, Bishop’s Stortford and Harlow. It runs all day and also throughout the night every hour so will be a big boost for local bus travel even though it only touches the edge of Stansted. There is even an hourly service of Sundays, which will give Stansted its first Sunday bus service for many years.  

Other good news on Foresthall Park: the footpath to Stoney Common is now open; the footpath which provides a temporary link into Church Road has been improved; architects have been appointed to design the new primary school and finally the children’s play area in Walson Way will open at the time the road opens, but not before for safety reasons whilst some nearby homes are still being built.