A bus company boss says getting kids to school on time is becoming “increasingly difficult” due to the “frustrating” and inconsiderate parking by other motorists on the road.
This morning Travelmasters’ 371R service, which follows a school route between West Minster and Sittingbourne, was delayed by 10 minutes due to two vans parked parallel to each other along Queensway in Sheerness.
Managing director of the company, Tim Lambkin, said: “This is becoming more and more of a problem around Swale.
“This is a bus route and it has been one for years but recently we’re seeing this type of thing happen more and more.
“It appeared that two vans from the same company parked opposite one another making a very small gap on the road and our bus driver made the decision that they just could not manoeuvre between them.
“She called out to the driver and asked him to move his van.”
Tim explained that as a result of the blockage three other buses were held up along the road and the children faced a 10-minute delay to get to school.
He said: “This also happens along Marine Parade in Sheerness, since the council started charging for parking at the Ship on Shore car park more and more people have been parking on the road.
“Our drivers have to navigate through that and recently, on one Saturday, it took 15 minutes to get along that road.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep a timetable because of this but it is also difficult for emergency service vehicles like ambulances and fire engines to get through.
“There are even cars parked on the corners of roads and it is a real problem.
“It is crazy. I feel sorry for the emergency services because we can sit and wait when our buses can’t get through but they can’t.”
Tim feels that motorists need to take a “little more care” when choosing a parking space.
He said: “We’ve all got a problem with finding a parking space but you’ve got to think about if you’ve made enough room for other vehicles to get around you.
“Cars are bigger now and you have to think about bigger vehicles getting past, not just other cars.”
Travelmasters contacted the schools of the children affected by this morning’s delay to ensure the pupils do not receive a late mark.
This isn’t the first time a bus has got stuck along Queensway.
In February, a similar situation held up the same 371R service after a car parked opposite a van.
