Part of a bus route on a busy industrial estate has been axed at short notice owing to “challenging” conditions and safety fears.

Commuters using the 170 Medway Valley Park service will no longer be able to hop on or off at Sir Thomas Longley Road on the Medway City Estate.

The decision came into effect on Monday and will affect the ASD Coaches service which runs between parts of Strood and Chatham.

Notices have been put up at bus shelters by Medway Council informing passengers.

One outside Veetee Rice’s Medway headquarters said: "The 170 bus will not be serving Sir Thomas Longley Road going forward.

"This is because of increasing challenging operating conditions, where the bus is unable to turn around safely at the end of the route which is affecting reliability of the whole route.

"Please board and alight at the nearest bus stop on Anthonys Way by the Neptune roundabout.”

Hundreds of businesses employing a total workforce of more than 5,000 people, operate out of the estate.

But there have been safety concerns about the operation of the route due to incidents involving lorries and parked cars.

The decision to reduce the service has resulted in a backlash with several negative remarks scribbled on the notices, including “apology not accepted”.

An ASD spokesman said: “ASD Coaches regrets to inform our valued passengers of a route adjustment affecting our 170 bus service. Due to significant safety concerns, we made a joint decision with Medway Council to no longer serve Sir Thomas Longley Road until further notice.

“The safety and well-being of our passengers is of paramount importance to us. Following a careful evaluation and consultation with Medway Council; it has become apparent that certain safety issues on Sir Thomas Longley Road pose potential risks to our passengers, staff and our vehicles.

“We understand the inconvenience this may cause to our passengers, and we sincerely apologise for any disruption to their travel plans. The 170 service will still serve Medway City Estate via Anthonys Way and Whitewall Road connecting our passengers to their desired destinations whilst maintaining their safety as our top priority.”

Meanwhile a spokesman for Medway Council added: “Due to safety concerns around buses being able to turn around safely at the end of the route, which impacts the reliability of the whole route, the 170 ASD service will no longer serve Sir Thomas Longley Road.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”