Buses will return to an area for the first time in six months.

Residents of Grove Park, Sittingbourne will be able to use a new service operated by Chalkwell from next Tuesday (August 29).

The area had previously been served by the number 9 bus route, which was withdrawn in February.

The revised 326 service, which operates between Sittingbourne and Chatham, will be diverted via Kenilworth Court, Wentworth Drive and Gadby Road.

This will occur on an hourly basis between 9.07am and 2.07pm on Monday to Fridays.

It will ensure residents can access essential services such as town centres and Medway Maritime Hospital.

Chalkwell Managing Director, Roland Eglinton, said “We have been aware of this gap in the bus network since the original service was removed.

“We have worked with Kent County Council in order to find a viable alternative, and we look forward to serving this community again.”

The company has also taken over the 334 route between Sheerness and Sittingbourne.

It was cancelled by Arriva last month, alongside nine others.

It cited the loss in council subsidy and a lack of passengers for terminating the routes.