A victory bell has sounded for residents in Swanscombe with the news Arriva bus company is to reverse its decision to reroute a major service.

The dramatic u-turn came less than two months after the hourly 455 service running between Dartford and Gravesend was changed to omit six densely-populated roads.

Many people living in the village feared being left cut-off and almost house-bound as the new, shorter route also restricted access to Swanscombe High Street, a health centre and even the Asda store at Greenhithe.

The changes were introduced in October just days after Kent County Council had completed works costing a reported £4,000 to widen a footpath and improve disabled access to a bus stop in Gunn Road - one of the axed streets.

Arriva came under fire from angry residents and councillors but said at the time the rerouting was in response to customer demand.

However, it has now announced the service will return to its original route from February 1 following an overwhelming response to its own public consultation.

A staggering 89 per cent of households called for the six affected streets - Church Road, Swanscombe Street, Gunn Road, Bodle Avenue, Manor Road and Milton Street - to be reinstated.

Pensioner Sandra Stevens was one of the Gunn Road residents angered by the change.
She told the Messenger at the time she could not understand the decision and was worried about her neighbours, many of whom are in their 70s and 80s.

"My friend saw the notice about the changes on the bus stop before I did and told me what was happening. I nearly died," said the 70-year-old.

"I am disabled and don't get out very often. But I have lived here for 20 years and there has always been a bus service."

The original route was altered to provide a service along Milton Road after Arriva said it had "competing demands" from passengers.

Its vehicles were also reported to have difficulty manoeuvring around parked cars.

However, following the response to an online questionnaire and one delivered by the bus company to people's doors, as well as a petition with more than 500 signatures, the decision was overturned.

Arriva's Simon Baxter said: "The response was clear cut: an overwhelming 89 per cent of respondents want us to change things back to how they had originally been – and that is exactly what we are doing.”

Applications to change bus routes have to go before the Traffic Commissioners and a period of 56 days is needed for permission to be granted.

February 1 is therefore the earliest date the original 455 service can be reinstated.