'We will be stranded when bus route is scrapped'

Hartley resident Don Houghlin said many elderly residents would be cut off when the service stops

Residents in a Kent village fear they will be left stranded when a "vital" bus service is scrapped.

The 489 bus is the only direct means of public transport between New Ash Green and Gravesend - but Arriva has announced it will come to an end on 1 June.

Don Houghlin, who lives along the route in Hartley, said: "I'm concerned for the older folk. If there's no buses, they won't be able to go anywhere."

A spokesperson for Arriva said low passenger numbers on the 489 service meant it was no longer financially viable to run.

Councillor Mark Lindon is urging Arriva to reconsider

The 489 runs six times each weekday in both directions and four times on a Saturday, with no service on a Sunday.

But all that will soon change, and passengers will need to travel between New Ash Green and Gravesend via Bluewater on the C3 service.

The C3 service only runs five buses a day - the latest departing Bluewater for New Ash Green at just 14:15 BST.

Councillor Mark Lindop, from Sevenoaks District Council, is hoping the decision by Arriva to reduce service hours is reconsidered.

"I'm hoping for the bus company to have a change of heart and recognise the value of this service to the community, not just of New Ash Green, but Hartley and Longfield, and all people who rely on it to get to Gravesend," he said.

Hospital porter Luke Cook says he spends roughly half his wage on commuting due to already irregular bus timetables

One such resident is Luke Cook, who works as a porter at Darent Valley Hospital, and already spends £700 each month on taxis to and from work due to irregular bus services.

"I've been spending half my salary, but then you've got to think of a way to live as well as pay your bills, it's virtually impossible," he said.

A spokesperson for Arriva said: "We've had to make a difficult decision to change our network to ensure we can balance the cost of running services with the revenue we receive.

"We understand this is disappointing for those who do use the service and it's not a decision we've taken lightly.

"We've explored every option to keep it running, but sadly, it is no longer viable."