A coach company has announced it is closing a Kent depot after 55 years of operation.

National Express Transport Solutions (NETS) is to shut The Kings Ferry base in Gillingham and a “consultation period with colleagues” has begun.

The Medway depot, in Eastcourt Lane, Twydall, Gillingham, will close along with the firm’s Clarkes of London depot at Sydenham in London.

National Express says there will be “no changes” to the two brands “at present”.

A spokesman said: “We continually review the profitability of our portfolio to ensure that we are set up to offer the very best products at the best prices in the market to our customers.

“To ensure that we can operate efficiently, we have made the difficult decision to close our depots in Sydenham and Gillingham. We will be entering a consultation period with colleagues and we will do all we can to support them through this process.

“We will continue to operate corporate and private hire work from our strong and efficient network of depots across the UK.”

The Kings Ferry axed its commuter services from Kent and Medway to London in 2021 after 40 years of operation.

At the time a spokesman said passenger numbers had reduced because of Covid-19 lockdowns, adding: “Pre-Covid 19, this was a popular service carrying over 1,200 customers a day. When the pandemic hit, the service was suspended and when it did restart, it was on a much reduced basis based on demand.

“We have since tried a number of options to effectively operate but it is simply not commercially viable to continue to do so.”

The Kings Ferry was started by businessman Peter O'Neill in Gillingham in 1968. He remained as chairman until November 2007, when the Kings Ferry Travel Group was sold to National Express.