Arriva has announced a new route through north Kent following the opening of a £16 million bridge.

Ebbsfleet Garden City's Springhead Bridge opened to the public on August 1 and connects Springhead Park to Ebbsfleet International.

Following the construction, which took around two years , Arriva announced, in partnership with Kent County Council, that the Fastrack B service it runs would now provide new links from the garden city to popular places in the north of the county.

The bus service's new routes will be able to get to Bluewater, Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford and Gravesend via Springhead Park.

This altered route will serve Springhead Parkway and Eastgate Community Centre in each direction on its way to and from Ebbsfleet International Station.

As part of this change, bus stops on Thames Way and Springhead Road will no longer be served by Fastrack B. However, services 481 and 483 will begin to serve these stops, keeping residents connected with Bluewater and Gravesend .

Arriva's area managing director Oliver Monahan said: “We are excited about these changes to the Fastrack B service and look forward to welcoming passengers onboard our Covid-19 secure services.

"We advise anyone travelling with us for the first time recently to check our guidance before travelling.

"All social distancing information is clearly marked on-board our buses.

"We are safe, we are clean, and we are there to help connect you to the people and places you love.”

For more information about the Fastrack B and A services, click here .

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