Stagecoach has been forced to cancel the first day of its new Canterbury to London service due to the planned closure of the M2.

The travel firm says it is "gutted" to have suspended the launch of the new £7.50 route.

But coach bosses realise that the planned closure of the M2 London-bound on Sunday between junction 7 at Faversham and the junction 5 turn-off for Maidstone makes the service impossible to run.

The service will, however, will still be partially running. Instead of starting at Canterbury bus station, the first passengers will be picked up at Hempstead Valley shopping centre.

Had they wanted to run from Canterbury, the coach would be advised to take the 69-mile diversion route.

A statement from the firm says it tried to persuade Highways England to rethink the closure, but failed to do so.

"We’re gutted that on the first day of the new service we can’t run the full route," it says.

"Unfortunately the M2 closure means that all traffic will have to follow a lengthy diversion via the M20 – which makes running to a timetable impossible.

"We’ve tried to convince Highways England to pull the closure but they say that it must take place."

The new service has been created to offer cheap travel to and from the London O2 for show-goers.

'We’re gutted that on the first day of the new service we can’t run the full route' - Stagecoach

The Stagecoach comment continues: "We want to reassure anyone planning to use the service to/from Hempstead Valley and North Greenwich - and any of the stops between - that we do not anticipate any impact or delays.

"Anyone who pre-booked to/from Canterbury will receive a full refund.

"We’re sorry that we have to make this disappointing announcement.

"We’re awaiting confirmation from Highways England on whether they intend to go ahead with another planned closure next weekend."

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