Bus routes from Sevenoaks to Bluewater have been saved after being dropped by Arriva.

Kent County Council has stepped in to ensure that users of the 306 and 308 bus routes can continue to travel, after Arriva confirmed it would drop the services between Sevenoaks, Borough Green, Gravesend and Bluewater.

The new provider, Redroute Buses, will start operating the routes from Monday November 1, meaning there will be no change to the level of service experienced by passengers.

Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, David Brazier, said: “The only thing that passengers will notice about the change in these services is the colour of the buses they embark upon.

“Although operational issues meant the previous firm had to review its offer, I am pleased that KCC has been able to find a suitable replacement, so residents feel as little of a difference as possible.”

While Kent County Council does not operate the buses, it can make arrangements to secure services that cannot be commercially provided by operators.

A spokesperson for Redroute Buses said: “We are pleased to work with the council to operate this service from November 1 and look forward to serving these communities.”

Read more: all the latest news from Gravesend.