Bus bosses are bringing back a Saturday service which links Walderslade with Chatham town centre after a barrage of complaints from customers.

The 176, which runs from Walderslade village to Weedswood, Huntsman’s Corner and Chatham rail and bus stations, was axed as part of a major shake-up of Arriva’s operations in July. But from Saturday, an hourly service will be reintroduced between 9.30am and 5pm.

Since the changes the main link between Walderslade and Chatham has been provided by a 10-minute 177 service with links to Medway Hospital from the Wayfield and Luton areas, as well as forming part of a five-minute service along Luton Road.

Arriva marketing manager Richard Lewis said: “We are a commercial business that is required to run profitably and when we made changes to our Medway services the Saturday service on our 176 route had been identified as carrying insufficient numbers of people and was therefore running at a loss.

“We have, however, listened to our customers who felt that there should continue to be a Saturday service on this route and we are pleased to introduce an hourly service. This will run without any subsidy so we hope that it will be used by sufficient numbers of people to cover the cost of providing it.”

Two hundred people affected by the withdrawal of the 176 on a half-mile stretch of the busy Walderslade Road signed a petition demanding it be reinstated. It meant walking to the nearest bus stop at the Poacher’s Pocket pub.

Jill Groombridge, 73, of Sussex Drive, said: “It just didn’t make sense not to have a bus on Saturday. For those who find it difficult to walk, they may be able to get to the stop but not be able to make the journey back with their shopping.”

Cllr David Brake, head of adult services for Medway Council, said: “I am glad to see, albeit late, that Arriva have got round the table and listened to residents.”

And Cllr Phil Filmer, in charge of public transport services, said: “I very much welcome Arriva’s decision to reinstate the Saturday 176 service having listened to the complaints received and taken a fresh look at the issue.”

Back in August, the council won an agreement to reroute the 179 service between Walderslade Village and Chestnut Avenue amid concern about the changes.

Full details of Arriva’s services across Medway can be found online at arrivabus.co.uk/south-east, by calling 0344 800 4411 or by going to the Chatham Waterfront Bus Station.