Southeastern’s rail replacement buses parking outside homes in Sandwich as early as 4.30am in the morning are causing great concern.

Nic Wood, 54, of St George’s Road, says the 52-seater buses park up on double yellow lines, on a bend, blocking a junction.

He is worried for the safety of commuters using them and school children who are often walking on the pavement when the coaches are manoeuvring in the road.

He said: “From a road safety point of view, I’m very annoyed. They turn the buses around in the road and there are children right there.”

The IT consultant who works from home says he often watches the buses from his window and sometimes has to look away because they move so close to pedestrians.

He said: “Buses don’t take prisoners, they’re too big. I guarantee that somebody will get hurt.

“No one seems to care - that’s the really disappointing thing.”

Mr Woods says it is a long term issue that has worsened since the closure of the train line between Dover and Folkestone as Southeastern is offering commuters a replacement bus service from Sandwich to Folkestone.

He claims there are up to four in the morning and four in the evening, in line with regular train times. They park up for up to 20 minutes at one time, as early as 4.30am, and often leave their engines running.

“No one seems to care - that’s the really disappointing thing.” - Resident Nic Wood

He said: “It’s not a bus stop, it’s a small side road with a very nasty bend.

“They sit there with their engines running which is just mind-boggling. I’m sure that other residents in the road feel the same.”

He has asked Southeastern to park them elsewhere such as at the designated bus stop in New Street or directly outside the station.

He said: “I have sent Southeastern a plan showing them the two places where the buses could park. They said they would respond in 10 days but I haven’t heard anything.”

He has also written to Sandwich MP Craig Mackinlay for an explanation and to look at possible alternatives.

Mr Mackinlay said: “The problem has escalated since the track failure on the Dover to Folkestone part of the line.

“I wrote to Mike Gibson at Southeastern on January 29 to advance Mr Wood’s concerns. I am awaiting a reply to my letter to him. I hope that the problem will soon solve itself to the satisfaction of Mr Wood.”

Southeastern has not commented.