Arriva has announced fresh changes to its bus timetable in Medway following drivers’ strikes and complaints from passengers.

Changes introduced in summer last year caused howls of protest among passengers, especially in Walderslade, where hundreds signed a petition over scrapped services, and on the Isle of Grain where changes left many feeling cut off.

Drivers went on strike in December over what they regarded as “unachievable and unsafe” timetables, after which Arriva said they were working to make improvements.

The new changes came into place from Sunday, January 24.

A statement from Arriva said: “Following a review of the timetables introduced in July and feedback from our customers and drivers, we will be making further changes to our Medway Towns services from January 24 in order to improve reliability.

“Additional time has been allowed on a number of routes to avoid late-running and, in some cases, the main daytime frequencies have been reduced slightly as a result to provide a more reliable service.

“We had a lot of feedback about the circular ‘Loop’ service and this will be replaced by two separate services to avoid confusion and to improve timekeeping.”

Services replacing the “Loop” route are the new 113 and 116.

The 116 will run every 30 minutes covering Chatham, the universities, MidKent College, Medway Maritime Hospital, Twydall, Rainham and Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, after which it will take a circular roue via Hempstead Valley Drive, Pear Tree Lane and Dukes Meadow Drive to Hempstead Post Office, returning via Hempstead Road, Chapel Drive and Hempstead Valley Drive.

The 113 will run hourly covering the section the ‘Loop’ route via Luton Road, Pear Tree Lane and Wigmore.

The 191 service from Chatham to Hoo and Grain, will now include additional buses to serve High Halstow with an hourly frequency during the main part of the day from Monday to Saturday. Arriva say the times of some buses on the route will be adjusted to “improve reliability”, and the Sunday timetable will be revised.

New timetable is available online - https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/south-east/updates/changes-to-bus-times-in-the-medway-towns---from-24th-january-2016/ - and from Chatham Waterfront Bus Station and other local outlets or by calling 0344 800 4411.