Tim and Season discuss Cheriton and Sandgate buses with Stagecoach

Folkestone and Sandgate councillors Tim and Season Prater today had a meeting with Stephen Gasche of Shepway Council and Jeremy Cooper of Stagecoach about the loss of the 77/78A service connecting Sandgate's Enbrook Valley and Cheriton High Street.

A number of local residents had raised the issue of the loss of the connection to Cheriton High Street from Sandgate (withdrawn in December 2007) not least because with the closure of the Shorncliffe and Enbrook Valley post offices, Cheriton post office is now the closest remaining Post Office.

Although unable to make any promises on the service, Jeremy Cooper of Stagecoach committed to revisiting whether it was possible to reintroduce a service - even if only once a day - connecting Golden Valley to Cheriton High Street, as part of a wider review of the Sandgate service to be completed by around the end of October.

Issues were also raised about the use of low loader buses on the 77/78 route, connections to Cheriton Tesco and the Kent Road bus depot.

Sandgate Valley Councillor Season Prater commented after the meeting:

"I was impressed by the commitment of Stagecoach to bus services in the area and improving services. I really hope they can reintroduce a service to Cheriton High Street, as the Folkestone Post Office in WHSmith is inconvenient for many."