Villagers says proposed bus cuts will be a disaster for their parish.

The Go Coach Bluewater to Longfield service is among the routes which could be axed because of reduced funding.

Kent County Council (KCC) is looking to reduce its £6m budget for the Supported Bus Services by £2.2m and so it is proposing cutting 48 contracts from its services across Kent.

In the Dartford and Gravesend areas, the services under consultation as well as the 474/5 Go Coach Bluewater to Longfield service which runs Monday to Saturday, are the 433 Arriva Bluewater, Longfield, Hartley to New Ash Green Sunday service and the 489 Arriva New Ash Green, Southfleet, Longfield, Gravesend Sunday service.

The consultation is also looking at cutting the Kent Karrier for Dartford and Gravesham Districts.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said: “These services are supported by Kent County Council because they are needed for our communities, but they are not profitable for bus companies.

“However, if these services are ceased, people living in villages like Bean and Betsham, will be isolated as they will no longer have access to a regular bus service.

"We cannot leave whole communities without a bus service so I would ask the council to look again at the money-saving options as it should not be isolating communities in this way.

“Like many things, bus usage has changed since the pandemic hit with usage now at just 70% of pre-pandemic levels.

"However, these supported services, which serve communities that do not have access to alternatives, are greatly needed by those who use them."

Jackie Hardinges, clerk of Southfleet Parish Council, said: "The loss of the 474/475 service would be a disaster for those people who use the service. It will be a huge blow for the parish.

"This will affect anyone who travels to Bluewater for work or shopping. The service also provides a link to the hospital so it may affect people getting to appointments.

"Losing the bus service would cut off rural communities from major services such as doctors, shopping and the hospital. It would affect a wide range of people.

"KCC say the numbers of passengers using the service has declined but they have been reduced for the last two years because of the Covid pandemic. I don't think it is a good indication of how they will be used in the future."

The parish council is delivering more than 500 letters to households in the parish, informing people about the proposals and urging them to take part in the KCC consultation.

People have until Wednesday, April 20 to have their say.

Residents in Swale, where 15 bus services are in the firing line, have been collecting signatures for a petition against the cuts.

A petition has also been set up opposing cuts to service in the Maidstone area.

Maidstone Green Party member Stuart Jeffery, who started the petition, said: “These services are the ones that have previously been supported by KCC for good reason."

"Bus services are crucial to many and I know some of these routes are incredibly important to the communities they serve around Kent..."

Currently, there are 127 bus contracts supported by KCC, including a mix of support and funding for specific journeys, such as on Sundays.

A supported bus service is one that is not deemed economically viable for private bus operators to run themselves, but regarded as socially important.

The county council has proposed to cut 48 contracts, marking around 37% of the total number of services supported by KCC.

If the cuts are approved, changes will be implemented in August 2022.

KCC’s cabinet member for highways and transport, David Brazier, has previously said: “In the last few months running up to our annual budget review, we have had to take some very tough decisions in order to ensure the services we have to provide by law have the funds they need.

“Bus services are crucial to many and I know some of these routes are incredibly important to the communities they serve around Kent, which is why we are so keen to hear from people who will be affected by these proposed service withdrawals.

“I would encourage anyone with a view about our plans to get in touch to help inform the way we shape our Supported Bus service going forward.”

Mr Johnson said: “I would urge everyone who uses these services to take part in the consultation and let Kent County Council know how vital they are.”

Click here to view the full list of the services proposed to be withdrawn and take part in the consultation.

For queries or requests for hard copies, email bussavings@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 421437 referencing KCC Bus Funding Reduction or email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 42 15 53 (text relay service number 18001 03000 42 1553).