THE future of a key bus route looks positive after rumours began circulating that it would be shortened or changed altogether.

Users of the Number 20 bus, which connects The Broadway to Walthamstow Central Station with stops in Snaresbrook and at Loughton Station, picked up on drivers’ whispers that the route’s days could be numbered.

At a Loughton Town Council meeting last night (January 17) however, town, district and county councillor Chris Pond moved to correct the record.

Having discussed the issue with Essex County Council officers on Monday, he had been led to believe that Transport for London had no immediate plans to change the route.

He said: “The route is being tendered for the next seven years on the route it currently uses.

“I would not like to be tied to the stake and say it will run as it has done, but the signs are good.

“But of course that may change as we are at the whim of the Mayor of London.”