Kent's first zero-emission bus route will launch with diesel-powered vehicles - because purpose-built electric models will not be ready in time.

Dover Fastrack, which is set to cost £34m, will see buses connect Whitfield with the town centre and Dover Priory railway station.

But bosses say delays to the electric fleet mean diesel buses will be used to "operate the service effectively" when it launches in July.

Kent County Council (KCC), which is leading the project in partnership with Dover District Council (DDC), says it is trying to source temporary electric buses until the dedicated ones are ready.

But it says they may need to be supported by "low-emission" diesel buses as the permanent fleet may not arrive until later this year.

Drivers have faced months of disruption in the area as a new half-mile road and a bridge over the A2 are being built for the project, which is already running months behind schedule.

The scheme was approved by KCC in 2021 and was expected to be up and running by autumn 2023, with Stagecoach running five fully electric buses.

DDC deputy leader Cllr Jamie Pout (Lab) says the authority is “hopeful” KCC can source temporary electric buses in the interim.

“Given the length of this project, it's deeply dissatisfying the new dedicated fleet of buses will not be ready in time for the July opening date,” he said.

“I will continue to be clear that the highway authority and the bus operator must act quickly to rectify this less than satisfactory situation for the good of the people of Dover.”

DDC leader Kevin Mills (Lab) echoed his deputy’s thoughts, describing the situation as “disappointing”.

“We have had a long lead-up to this. But KCC has alluded that they could procure electric buses for the opening date and we live in hope,” he said.

When open, the service will go via Burgoyne Heights and Dover Castle, and is estimated to take up to 25 minutes one way.

The whole scheme is set to cost £34m with Homes England putting forward £22.9m, the Department for Transport giving £9.5m, and Dover District Council adding £1.42m.

In a statement, a KCC spokesman said: “We are really pleased with the great progress being made to deliver Dover Fastrack, a purpose-built rapid bus transit system.

“A dedicated fleet of fully-electric buses is on order, however, due to the lead time for electric vehicles they will not be available at the start of the service.

“We did not want to delay the start of this important service and KCC is currently discussing with suppliers to source three temporary electric buses for the interim period, however these may need to be supplemented by Euro 6, low-emission diesel buses to operate the service effectively.

“Nevertheless, it is our ambition to deliver a dedicated fully-electric fleet by the end of the year, supporting our ambition to have a net zero county by 2050.”

Cllr Neil Baker (Con), KCC cabinet member for highways and transport, confirmed Dover Fastrack will be a zero-emissions route “once the electric vehicles are ready”.

He said: “Given the issues of congestion in Dover, combined with uncertainty around the impact of the new EU entry-exit system due to begin in October, it would be nonsensical to take a zero-emissions absolutist line when there is the option of improving the flow of public transport using non-EVs for a short period.”

KCC says “delays in the supply chain and seasonal conditions” are to blame for the late launch of the scheme, which it claims will provide a “high-quality and frequent shuttle service”.

The county’s first-ever Fastrack service began in Dartford and Gravesham in 2006.

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This was with diesel buses but electric ones will completely take over that route by next April.