DON'T AXE NATIONAL EXPRESS KENT COACH ROUTES
The Issue
National Express has announced it is axing its 007 and 022 coach routes connecting Kent and London on Monday, 7 December 2026. This follows the company having been taken over by a Spanish operator Autobuses de Leon.
The Route 007 service links Dover, Folkestone, and Canterbury with London Victoria Coach Station.
The Route 022 service connects Ramsgate, Margate, Whitstable, and Canterbury with London.
Up to 20 drivers and staff based at the Eythorne depot near Dover are also now facing redundancy ahead of Christmas with potential closure of the Eythorne site.
Local councillors in Canterbury, Whitstable and Thanet have criticised the decision, warning that axing these routes removes an affordable transport lifeline for university students, commuters, and residents without cars.
Many older residents and others with mobility issues say that alternative train travel will not only be prohibitively expensive but difficult, if not impossible to manage, with long station platforms and stairs to negotiate.
The 007 route was famously used by James Bond author, Ian Fleming, and is said to have inspired Bond’s unforgettable codename.
If you believe this decision MUST be reconsidered by the company please sign and share this petition.
Many thanks,
Julie Wassmer
521
The Issue
National Express has announced it is axing its 007 and 022 coach routes connecting Kent and London on Monday, 7 December 2026. This follows the company having been taken over by a Spanish operator Autobuses de Leon.
The Route 007 service links Dover, Folkestone, and Canterbury with London Victoria Coach Station.
The Route 022 service connects Ramsgate, Margate, Whitstable, and Canterbury with London.
Up to 20 drivers and staff based at the Eythorne depot near Dover are also now facing redundancy ahead of Christmas with potential closure of the Eythorne site.
Local councillors in Canterbury, Whitstable and Thanet have criticised the decision, warning that axing these routes removes an affordable transport lifeline for university students, commuters, and residents without cars.
Many older residents and others with mobility issues say that alternative train travel will not only be prohibitively expensive but difficult, if not impossible to manage, with long station platforms and stairs to negotiate.
The 007 route was famously used by James Bond author, Ian Fleming, and is said to have inspired Bond’s unforgettable codename.
If you believe this decision MUST be reconsidered by the company please sign and share this petition.
Many thanks,
Julie Wassmer
Supporter Voices
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Petition created on 12 November 2026