Residents have slammed the relocation of a bus stop on a busy road which they claim is an "accident waiting to happen".

The stops, used by the 480 and the 492 Bluewater services, were previously found outside The Welsh Tavern pub on London Road, Stone.

But they have since been moved due to road works near the new £29m Stone Lodge School development, off Cotton Lane.

The changes have alarmed local residents who say its location on the narrow footpath will put mums with buggies and other pedestrians at risk when waiting or passing.

They claim it is positioned far too close to the recently installed pedestrian crossing, just after a blind corner and near to the brow of the hill.

Stone resident Peter Fett, of Hillhouse Road said: “It's bad enough getting past anyone on that narrow footpath now, so how are people expected to wait there for a bus?

"It will be bedlam when the school children need to use that stop, it's an accident waiting to happen."

Parish councillor Claire Pearce claims the changes, which first emerged two weeks ago, were made overnight without proper consultation.

She said: "All the residents I have spoken with are up in arms – it is incredibly dangerous.

"To be honest, I cannot believe that this particular place has been chosen, it appears that safety has been overlooked.

"The new stop has been placed on the narrowest stretch of pavement on the whole of London Road."

The Kirby Road resident says it also poses a threat to school children returning to or joining the new Endeavour MAT-run Academy building – which is due to open next year – and has called for a "serious re-think".

"It will be bedlam when the school children need to use that stop, it's an accident waiting to happen..."

She explained: "It is ridiculously dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers. As this stop will see greater use during school hours the potential problems will only get worse.

"I don't even want to think about the awful possibilities, something needs to be done about it right away."

A Kent County Council spokesman said: “As part of the planning permission granted by Dartford council, it was decided the bus stop would move.

“The changes were subject to a stage two road safety audit and no issues were raised.

“The road is not on a blind bend and although the footpath is narrower than the previous stop, it is still two metres wide, meeting the agreed standards.

“Once the scheme is complete, it will be subject to a stage three audit and any recommendations or changes will be implemented by the developer.”

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