Arriva is rethinking a major shake-up of its bus services in Medway amid howls of protest – just one week after the changes began.

The firm says the new schedule is a big improvement but some passengers say they have severely disadvantaged.

Hundreds of residents in Walderslade are angry their services have been scrapped, while workers on the traffic-clogged Medway City Estate are also furious.

Walderslade ward councillor David Brake said he was horrified when he heard of the changes. Cllr Brake, who is in charge of adult services on Medway Council, said: “It was obvious the revised timetable would have a serious impact on the community.

“The first I knew about it was when a resident told me he had been to the library to pick up a timetable and was told it was out of print. What Arriva has not done is consult people who use the buses.”

He has met senior managers from the bus operator and Medway Council transport officers.

He said: “I received an email from Arriva on Friday which said they would be revisiting the changes. It might take some time, because it has to go out to consultation. But these could be put in place by mid-August.”

More than 200 people affected by the withdrawal of all three buses on a half-mile stretch of the busy Walderslade Road have signed a petition demanding for them to be reinstated.

The 701, Bluewater route, the 181 and 179 which served passengers between the Poachers Pocket pub and Chestnut Avenue have been scrapped.

These ferried customers to key locations including the Alexandra Hospital in Walderslade, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, doctors’ surgeries and Chatham town centre.

"A gentleman who walked the distance said he would never do it again because it nearly killed him” - Lynne Williams

Residents at the Sindal Shaw House sheltered housing scheme in King George Road are among those hardest hit. Doreen Waugh, who lives in the home, has moved in with her daughter Lynne Williams because she cannot manage the walk to the nearest bus stop.

Mrs Williams, 58, of Walderslade Road, said: “My mum is 78 and used to get the bus into Chatham and then on to Dockside. This has cost her the little bit of independence she had. She now has to wait until I get home from work so I can take her shopping or to appointments. A gentleman who walked the distance said he would never do it again because it nearly killed him.”

A spokesman for Arriva said: “We are aware of the Walderslade Road issue and have met with a local councillor. While the number of passengers using this section of route has been very low for some time, we will review how the new services perform and will make amendments if appropriate.”

Kelly Brice said the withdrawal of the 196 service which took her from Lower Stoke to her office on Medway City Estate could be the final straw for employers.

Mrs Brice, an office assistant at the Dominion stationery company, said: “Over the years my hours have been re-adjusted due to bus time changes. This time it has gone too far and it is more than likely to lose me my job.”

Mrs Brice, 46, of Shepherds Way, Lower Stoke, now has to catch an alternative bus which takes her to the entrance of the estate at Anthony’s Way and then walk the rest of the 30-minute journey to Sir Thomas Longley Road.

Arriva said: “Unfortunately, where bus usage has been low we have had to reduce service levels. Services to the Isle of Grain have been largely maintained, but unfortunately we have had to discontinue some of the more poorly used journeys. Regrettably, the 196 was one of these. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”