Hundreds of shoppers are calling for a bus service from Gillingham to the Asda superstore to be reinstated because of road safety fears.

They say that getting to the supermarket from the bus stop on the other side, which involves crossing several busy roads, is dangerous.

Their campaign has been spearheaded by councillors Andy Stamp, Pat Cooper and Clive Johnson, who are due meet representatives from Arriva and Asda today (Monday) to discuss concerns.

The short journey getting to the store in Pier Road means navigating a junction, near Medway Police Station, where there is a maze of slip roads, lanes, turnings and no less than 40 traffic lights.

Problems have arisen since Arriva withdrew its 176/177 bus which served the Hazlemere Drive and Grange Road area of the town and dropped off customers directly to the doorstep.

Now the only service available is the 185 operated by Nu-Venture which runs from Blue Bell Hill, via Chatham’s Davis Estate, the town centre, Dock Road and then towards Gillingham Pier.

Cllr Stamp, Labour’s community services boss, said: “This has affected hundreds, if not thousands of people. People from Gillingham who used the old Arriva bus now struggle to get there. Some have stopped going, others rely on a lift or get a taxi.

“There is also a social element as the store has started a Wednesday coffee morning, but people can’t get to it. At the end of the day Asda are losing custom because of this.”

He is hoping the supermarket chain considers its policy adopted at the Chatham shop where the company offers a twice-weekly free service.

All three ward councillors handed a petition with 425 signatures to Arriva in December.

Cllr Stamp said: “We need to all get round the table to discuss the way forward.”

The junction has caused concern for pedestrians and motorists. A driver, who did not wish to be named, said: “I nearly got hit by a racing idiot and then he crossed behind me into the left lane and raced alongside of me close to the car in front of him.

“I was in the right lane and something went bang on my car then he raced off in front of me. I checked my car and I haven’t seen any damage, thank goodness. A really stupid layout of the lanes.”

A Medway Council spokesman said: “We are aware that the layout had some settling-in issues. The layout is not unusual and similar layouts are used throughout the country without difficulties. We are however continuing to monitor the area.”