We, the undersigned, petition Kent County Council to run a full consultation on public transport in West Kingsdown with the view to planning and implementing a comprehensive public transport network and a fleet of affordable electric buses to support residents now and into the future. 

The existing bus service can appear deceptively comprehensive, with nine routes serving the community, provided by Go-Coach Hire and Redroute Buses (bustimes.org).

However, a review of seven routes that villagers may wish to take, supported claims from residents that the existing network does not even support journeys to neighbouring villages, let alone further afield. 

Research (using traveline.info and googlemaps.com)

1.West Kingsdown to Bluewater
Car: 16 mins
Public transport: 2 buses, 1hr 24 mins

2.West Kingsdown to Lullingstone Country Park 
Car: 10 mins
Public transport: impossible 

3.West Kingsdown to Swanley Park
Car: 12 mins 
Public transport: impossible 

4.West Kingsdown to West Malling 
Car: 14 mins
Public transport: 1 bus, 1 train, 1hr 53mins

5.West Kingsdown to Gravesend 
Car: 22 mins
Public transport: 1 bus, 1 train, 1hr 37 mins

6.West Kingsdown to New Ash Green
Car: 8 mins car 
Public transport: 2 buses, 2hrs 14 mins

7.West Kingsdown to Sevenoaks High Street 
Car: 18 mins
Public transport: 1 bus, 1 train, 1hr 20 mins

Kent County Council are funding electric vehicle points in the district to encourage the switch to electric vehicles and assist its committment to a net zero carbon county by 2050. However, many people cannot afford electric vehicles yet. Furthermore, many houses in West Kingsdown, like those in Hever Wood Road, would be unable to have a charging point installed at home due to the road layout.

We would prefer to see the council investing in a full consultation with residents to ascertain the routes that people want, a comprehnsive network of routes and a fleet of electric buses that enable the affordable, carbon free journeys we want to take.