Part of a well-used bus route shut off after drivers were targeted by vandals with catapults and air rifles is to return to operation for the first time in four months.

Arriva’s 190 service from Chatham Maritime has not stopped in Dering Way, Gravesend, since October 23 after close to 200 drivers signed a petition refusing to go down there.

But the operator, police and local councillors have been working together to tackle the issue, and the bus stop is set to reopen on Monday, February 20.

Ward councillor Lyn Milner (Lab) has organised several meetings with investigating officers, and said residents would be relieved to have their nearest bus stop back in action.

“I think it’s very good news that Arriva is putting the bus down Dering Way again, and it’s with a lot of help from the meetings we held and the residents having their say, which was important,” she said.

“Hopefully the problems do stop now, but we won’t know until it’s been put back in place. But the reaction from residents has been very good.”

The 190 service to Gravesend stopped in Dering Way seven days a week, and was the most convenient way for people to get into the town centre.

Many of those who regularly caught the bus were elderly people, and they have faced a 10-minute walk to get to the nearest alternative stop.

Kent County Council Gravesham East councillor Diane Marsh (Con) joined Cllr Milner in working to restore the service, and met residents to discuss their concerns.

“Measures being introduced to help ensure the future of Service 190 on Dering Way include a visible police presence and the introduction of CCTV cameras" Arriva

“I am absolutely delighted that the situation has been resolved and that many local residents had their voice heard at the meeting in Chalk before Christmas, which was a great turn out,” she said.

“I’m sure the meeting had everything to do with the fantastic success in getting it put back into service.”

Fifteen incidents were reported to Arriva by drivers in the run-up to them signing the petition, and the operator has said it will be forced to pull the service from Dering Way again if the problems return.

Residents have been handed flyers from Arriva announcing the service’s return, which state: “Measures being introduced to help ensure the future of Service 190 on Dering Way include a visible police presence and the introduction of CCTV cameras.

“However, future acts of vandalism will unfortunately lead to Service 190 being permanently withdrawn from Dering Way.”

Further ideas that could help prevent vandalism and safeguard the service should be sent in confidence to Cllr Milner on lyn.milner@gravesham.gov.uk.