Fwd: Bus service arrangements at Hawkhurst from 31 March 2025
Derek Jones
Further information to fill in some detail of the arrangements that started today in Hawkhurst.
The information below (and attached timetables) were issued by KCC last week:
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Closures of the A229 commencing on 31st March to the north and (from 6th May) south of Hawkhurst town centre will have implications for local bus services.
Kent County Council’s Public Transport team have been working to highlight these impacts and coordinate replacement services that will minimise the impact for bus users. Unfortunately no funding from the scheme has been made available. We are concerned about the impact of these closures on residents who usually travel by bus, especially school students during the exam period and although not obliged or funded to do so, we have taken the decision to go ahead with arrangements for the shuttle service between Hawkhurst Moor, Hawkhurst and Cranbrook to help to minimise the disruption.
Additional services will operate to replace or provide connections with existing services which will be using alternative routes during this period:
- From Monday 31st March until Saturday 28th June 2025, between Hawkhurst Moor, Hawkhurst and Cranbrook;
- From Monday 31st March until Friday 2nd May 2025, between Hawkhurst Moor, Hawkhurst, Sandhurst and Homewood School, Tenterden;
- From Tuesday 6th May until Friday 27th June 2025, between Hawkhurst/Hawkhurst Moor and Uplands Academy, Wadhurst
The following is an outline of how bus services will be affected and the alternative arrangements where needed. Timetables for the special services are attached where these have been provided by the operator.
Please share this information so that this can be circulated as widely as possible.
Should you need more information about times of individual services please contact the bus company concerned as they will have the latest information.
Closure A - Cranbrook Road (North of Hawkhurst Crossroads) 31st March to 5th May 2025
Hams Travel (01580 879537) - in...@hamstravel.co.uk; https://hamstravel.com/ :
5C (schooldays only) – To operate in reverse - Hawkhurst Moor, Hawkhurst, Sandhurst, Benenden, Hartley and Cranbrook. Gills Green not served
267/268/269 (schooldays only) – Normal route and timetable.
295 – To run from Hartley via Cranbrook and Sissinghurst back to Hartley and then via Benenden to Homewood. Additional bus to run separately from Hawkhurst Moor, Hawkhurst and Sandhurst to Homewood School. Gills Green not served.
U1 – Normal route and timetable.
U2 – Normal route and timetable.
Arriva (03448 00 44 11) - www.arrivabus.co.uk/help/contact-us; www.arrivabus.co.uk:
5 – Service will not run between Cranbrook and Hawkhurst. Shuttle bus provided by Hams Travel to run from Hawkhurst Moor and Hawkhurst then via diverted route to Hartley and Cranbrook (see attached timetable). Gills Green not served. Revised timetable (attached) for 5 between Cranbrook and Maidstone only (with changes to times for northbound buses from Cranbrook towards Maidstone).
Stagecoach (0345 241 8000) - https://www.stagecoachbus.com/help-and-contact; https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables:
1066 and 349 to run normal route and timetable.
Closure B – Highgate Hill (South of Hawkhurst Crossroads) 6 May to 28 June 2025
Hams Travel (01580 879537) - in...@hamstravel.co.uk; https://hamstravel.com/ :
5C – Normal route except Hawkhurst Moor not served.
267/268/269 – Normal route and timetable.
295 – Normal route and timetable except Hawkhurst Moor not served.
U1 – Will run from Johns Cross through Hurst Green direct via A21 to Flimwell. Hawkhurst and Hawkhurst Moor to be served by separate buses (details to follow).
U2 – Normal route and timetable.
Arriva (03448 00 44 11) - www.arrivabus.co.uk/help/contact-us; www.arrivabus.co.uk:
5 – Service will not run between Cranbrook and Hawkhurst. Shuttle bus provided by Hams Travel to run from Hawkhurst Moor to Hawkhurst via Coopers Corner, A21 and A268 then via normal route to Hartley and Cranbrook (see attached timetable). Revised timetable (attached) for 5 between Cranbrook and Maidstone only (with changes to times for northbound buses from Cranbrook towards Maidstone).
Stagecoach (0345 241 8000) - https://www.stagecoachbus.com/help-and-contact; https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables:
349 to run as normal except Hawkhurst Moor not served (will turn instead at Fairview).
1066 to approach Hawkhurst from Flimwell turning at Fairview to west of crossroads (near British Legion Hall/Hawkhurst Club). Hawkhurst Moor not served.