Both major bus companies serving Sittingbourne have made strong objections to proposed changes that would see some of the town’s bus stops scrapped.

Swale council wants to move the market from The Forum car park to the High Street, closing it to traffic on market days.

Its proposals, which also included reversing the direction of the one-way section of Central Avenue, were outlined in a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

However, Arriva and Chalkwell have objected to the order, saying the changes would be bad for business and passengers, particularly those with mobility problems, who would have to walk further to a stop.

Swale Seniors Forum is also against the proposals, which would result in the two bus stops in the High Street being removed and all buses re-routed to the back of The Forum.

In a six-page response to the TRO consultation, Chalkwell says its views on the proposals appeared to have been “misunderstood, ignored or misrepresented”.

It said closing off the High Street to buses threatened the future of some of its services.

“Withdrawing bus services from the High Street is not our preferred option,” says the letter.

“We have simply indicated that without a viable agreed alternative this change would force us to move services to the St Michael’s Road and Forum area, which will disadvantage customers, increase our costs and seriously risk damaging the level of bus services that we will be able to provide.”

Other reasons for its objection included an increase in journey times, congestion fears, lack of a “clearly defined path” between the back of The Forum and the High Street and concerns about whether The Forum bus stop could cope with extra buses.

It warns that the consequences of making the changes would include the council having to pick up the costs incurred by the companies, such as printing new timetables and updating electronic ticketing systems.

“This change would force us to move services... which will disadvantage customers, increase our costs and seriously risk damaging the level of services we will be able to provide” - bus company Chalkwell

Arriva’s response said it would cause “significant problems” because an alternative route, via Park Road and Avenue of Remembrance, was “not suitable for local buses” and warned that changing the timetable on Fridays would lead to “widespread confusion for our passengers”.

A report for the Swale Joint Transportation Board says the plans were discussed with the bus companies, which led to changes being made.

It says the idea of running buses along Park Road, Avenue of Remembrance and Central Avenue, where a new stop was proposed, was ruled out at the request of the bus operators.

The matter is due to be discussed by the transport board on Monday.