Buses will continue to run through Halling Village while the bridge near Halling Station is closed for improvement work.

The work, which will result in a permanent single lane traffic system being installed on the bridge for safety reasons, is expected to last up to six weeks.

The highways project is due to start Monday

Local people have been reassured that buses will still serve the village, entering from the south (Snodland) end. They will run as far as Low Meadow before turning and leaving by the same route. Buses to or from Chatham will then use the bypass to avoid the closed bridge.

Buses to and from Upper Halling will continue. On Saturdays, however, Nu Venture buses will not serve the village at times when Chalkwell are providing a service. The Upper Halling buses will also serve people using the Jade Hill bus stops at the northern (Chatham) end of Halling Village.

Buses will not stop at Halling station for the duration of the bridge closure.

Work to the bridge means that some cases buses will have to run earlier. A temporary timetable showing changes is available on Nu-Venture buses and at other outlets along the Medway Valley. This amended timetable will also affect the service to St Mary’s Island, Chatham, on Sundays because this route passes through Halling.

Halling Parish Council and local people have all been informed about the bridge repair work and information signs have been in place either side of the bridge.