by Stephen Waite

A campaign is under way to divert a bus service to provide a lifeline to people in a Sittingbourne street.

Support is growing for buses to serve Peregrine Drive and the roads off it, including Mill Court, a sheltered housing scheme for about 60 elderly residents.

More than 140 people have put their names to a petition backing the introduction of a bus.

Among those pressing for public transport is Norman Sparks, 75, who has lived in Peregrine Drive for seven and a half years.

He said there was no bus service and people with mobility problems had to rely on taxis.

“My wife and I have had operations, me having my right ankle fused and the wife with a hip replacement.

“It’s quite a long walk into town and it’s £5 for a taxi.

“We can walk down but walking back is a bit difficult. We’d find a bus very convenient.”

Mr Sparks, who was a senior buyer for Rugby Cement at Halling before retiring, said a bus could provide a lifeline for elderly residents of Mill Court.

“There are an awful lot of the people who live there who feel Mill Court is all they have in life.

“They can’t afford taxis to go into town so they’re stuck there. For people on a basic pension, £10 a week means a lot to them.”

Mr Sparks added Peregrine Drive used to be on a bus route but was taken off the timetable due to a lack of passengers. It could be reinstated by diverting buses that go to Murston, he said.

“I’ve travelled on those buses to see what the usage is and it’s not very good. There are four an hour and my thought is one of those could come up Peregrine Drive and then back into town.”

The residents have been backed by Labour Roman Ward representative Martin McCusker, who held a meeting about the bus plan at Mill Court.

He said he has spoken to bus company Arriva which agreed to consider the proposal, which will also be added to the agenda of the next Swale Joint Transportation Board meeting.

“A bus service would give residents the freedom and opportunity to access Sittingbourne town centre and transportation beyond that.”