MallingMail 3


NEWbus services and timetable improvements have been launched by Arriva for passengers in the Larkfield area.


The changes include a brand new commuter link from Leybourne Park and Lunsford Park toWest Malling station, as well as a new service between Leybourne Park and Maidstone.


There are also more buses along London Road between Larkfield and Maidstone.


Special add-on fares to the train tickets are available fromWestMalling station to give a combined bus and rail ticket.


Guests at the launch of the new services included theMayor of Tonbridge and Malling Cllr SueMurray, county Cllr and chairman ofWestMalling Parish Council Trudy Dean and borough and parish councillors. Also present at the official opening at New Hythe Lane were executives from the project’s partners Arriva and Leybourne Park developers Barratt Homes.


Cllr Dean said it was particularly pleasing to see the start of the first commuter link withWestMalling station. The county council would be working with Arriva for the next five years to ensure that the 76 route was sustainable beyond that time. “The through ticketing is a really good idea and I am sure it will be very well used by residents.”


She said: “Though this is a service for commuters, we are hoping it will also be used by school pupils in the morning as the plannedWinterfield Lane, Clare


NEWBUS LINK FOR COMMUTERS IS JUST THE TICKET


Lane and station stops are close to the entrances to St James’s Primary School, Mrs B’s Day Care Centre,Mallings School andMore Park RC School respectively. In the longer term we would like to see this service run through toWestMalling High Street to serve shoppers too.


TheMayor said: “This is going to give commuters a real opportunity to leave the car at home and also ease competition. It’s terrific that you get this add-on so you buy the bus ticket and the train fare.”


Times of the 71 service between Lunsford Park, Larkfield, Ditton, Allington andMaidstone, and of the 72 service between Kings Hill,WestMalling andMaidstone have been revised so that there is a bus every eight minutes along the London Road during the day on Mondays to Saturdays.


There are still six buses an hour serving Lunsford Park, and a half-hourly service through to Snodland and Holborough, but at new times.


Buses which previously terminated at the Leybourne Lakes development have been extended through to New Hythe


Lane to give a new half hourly service for Leybourne Park, linking it to Tesco, Larkfield andMaidstone.


In addition a brand new route has been introduced for train commuters needing to get toWestMalling station to travel to London.


This bus, the number 76, runs from New Hythe station, Leybourne Park, Lunsford Park and Lunsford Lane toWestMalling station onMonday to Friday mornings to connect with commuter trains arriving from London. It also runs in the early evening to meet trains arriving from the capital.


Arriva’s publicity manager Richard Lewis, said: “The commuter bus service will help to reduce car movements toWest Malling station at peak times and the add-on fares will give a real cost- effective alternative to taking the car and paying for all-day parking.”


School pupils can buy from the KCC £50 Freedom pass to give them unlimited bus rides for a whole year on any bus in the county.


Details of the new services are available from www.arrivabus.co.uk or call 0844 8004411.


Malling Action Partnership is a community organisation open to anyone to join. It represents the ten parishes surroundingWest Malling, and with the aid of government, SEEDA and other grants it supports the businesses and community life of these parishes through a series of projects. One major project is to help the Farmers' Market grow and provide more family activities. Contact Trudy Dean 01732 843119 or trudy.dean@kent.gov.uk


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