Villagers fear they will be left stranded due to a main bus route serving a hospital getting the chop.

The Arriva 423 service, which transports residents from New Ash Green to Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, will no longer run from tomorrow.

The bus company says it is due to a decline in passenger numbers but locals and campaigners have has accused it of disincentivizing the service by making it both “unreliable and expensive”.

Campaigner Laura Manston, who has lived in the village for 12 years, is worried about the impact this could have on the elderly.

The New Ash Green resident said: “I think that bus cuts always disproportionally affect vulnerable people and there is a significant elderly population in New Ash Green who are now going to be unable to get to the hospital.

“I’ve spoken to people who, even those who can drive and have a car, the cost of fuel means that they prefer to get the bus because they’re worried about the financial side of it.

“It’s the people who do not have the luxury of options that its going to affect the most. I’m fortunate to have a car and I can get where I need to go, so it’s mostly the elderly people and those who are financially struggling more.”

As communications officer for the Sevenoaks branch of the Green Party she said she has had a lot of people get in touch with her about the buses.

Alternative options could include walking, cycling, or getting a taxi, however a number of problems arise with these.

Ms Manston added: “The walk from the furthest part of New Ash Green to the nearest train station which is Longfield is three miles, so over an hour, and that’s for someone who has the capability of walking at all.

“A lot of people like cycling but the road between New Ash Green and Longfield isn’t suitable for cycling safely, some parts of it aren’t lit well, other parts are windy, there are potholes – it isn’t an ideal situation.

“At a time where we really ought to be investing in our public transport system the fact that its being destroyed is hard to understand.”

One local resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she has had “anxiety attacks” over the route getting axed.

She told KentOnline: “I am unable to drive due to epilepsy and other medical conditions. I have regular appointments and I will have to find out how else I can get to them.

“There are a lot of elderly people in the area and it will be cutting them off from their freedom.”

Cllr Claire Nelson (Con), who represents New Ash Green, said: “This is devastating for the local community and impacts the ability of those needing to attend Darent Valley Hospital or those in college in Dartford as the last bus home leaves before they finish.

“Arriva have been determined to cut this service and did not re-instate the buses post the pandemic.

“The company will state a lack of use as the reason to withdraw the service but has done nothing to encourage passengers by making the service unreliable and expensive – people cannot use a service that simply doesn’t exist.

“Arriva has shown little interest in providing buses to meet people’s needs, and has not engaged with local authorities. I will continue to press them for answers but fear they have no interest in servicing a rural area.”

An Arriva spokesman said: “Our 423 service will cease from October 1 2022, a decision that has unfortunately had to be made following an extensive review of our bus network, recognising the continual decline in passengers numbers on this route, post Covid-19.

“To confirm, our 489 service continues to operate to Gravesend, which will allow for passengers wanting onward travel to the hospital to do so via stand B.”