More than 1,000 residents have backed a petition to get a vital “lifeline” bus service back after changes to its route were made.

The 100, 101 and 102 Stagecoach bus lines were diverted away from Dover Road, Folkestone, in September last year, missing out scores of residents who rely on the service.

The buses now use the newly introduced two-way Tontine Street and go up Tram Road, passing Southern Way and cutting out the majority of Dover Road.

Cllr Mary Lawes said that people living in the stretch were not told about the changes and are “heartbroken” that they are missed out of the loop.

Stagecoach has said the re-route was to improve links to Folkestone harbour.

Dover Road is accessed by the number 72 bus, which finishes at 7pm and the 127 which stops at 5.30pm. These lines do not run on Sundays.

Cllr Lawes, of Warren Road, said: “It is harming the disabled and nobody was told, it just happened.

“They are heartbroken about this and it is not an area you walk around at night.

“They have had their lifeline taken away.

“People say to me that this area is always ‘left out’ and now I am starting to believe this myself.”

The petition, headed by the Dover Road Residents’ Association group, says: “Dear Stagecoach, we the undersigned demand the return of the buses 100, 101, and 102 servicing the stops in Dover Road.

“These services are required for access to the health centre, post office, residential homes and shops along the original route.

“The movement of these routes to Tram Road creates a great disservice to Dover Road.”

Cllr Lawes said the petition has been given to Stagecoach and the routes are set to be discussed at a meeting in Maidstone on Friday, June 2.

A Stagecoach spokesman said: "We're aware of the concerns of some residents in Dover Road.

"In September 2016 Wave buses were rerouted in order to support the regeneration of the harbour area.

"The previous arrangement meant that people could catch a bus from the harbour to the town, but couldn't get from the town to the harbour.

"With the new route they can travel in both directions, with buses running at least every 15 minutes.

'With the new route they can travel in both directions, with buses running at least every 15 minutes.' - Stagecoach

"The section of Dover Road affected was only served in one direction by buses coming from the town.

"Routes 127 and 72 continue to provide this service with four buses an hour in the morning and three buses an hour in the afternoon (Monday to Saturday).

"Buses into town have always been routed via Tram Road.

"We meet regularly with Shepway District Council and the County Council to review and discuss the bus network with a view to ensuring customers' travel needs are met.

"We'll be discussing the residents' concerns at our meeting next month."