A DARTFORD estate is now being served by buses for the first time thanks to two new services.

Residents in the North Tree Estate will now have access to the town centre through the Dart1 service running every half an hour.

Along with the Dart2 route the new buses replace the hourly 453 service which ran from 9am to 3pm.

The new services operate from 7am to 7pm and have been up and running since January 9 featuring automatic voice announcements.

They have been developed by Kent County Council in partnership with Go-Coach.

Kent County Council cabinet member for transport and environment Councillor David Brazier said: "Communities previously unserved by the bus network, as well as those previously served by the hourly 453 bus, will now have direct, half-hourly access to the town centre.

"The vehicles in use on both Dart1 and Dart2 will be fitted with automated voice announcements ensuring those with impaired sight waiting for a bus will be aware that it has arrived at the stop and where it is going – the first such use of voice announcements in Kent."

Austin Blackburn, Managing Director of Go-Coach, said: "We are delighted to offer this service to residents in Dartford.

"Already we are impressed with the passenger numbers and expect further growth when word travels that previously unserved communities can now enjoy bus services.

"Our hope is that many passengers will benefit from these new services."

DART 1

Market Street, Lowfield Street, Oakfield Lane, Cedar Road, Hazel Road, Hawthorn Road, Maple Road, Elm Road, Mead Road, Princes Road, Highfield Road South, Chestnut Road, Willow Road, Sycamore Road, Heath Lane Lower, Heath Lane Upper, Heathclose Road, Shepherd’s Lane, Havelock Road, Dartford Road, Maiden Lane, Wilmot Road, Stanham Road, Firmin Road, Hallford Way, Priory Hill, Priory Place, Priory Road South, Westgate Road, Home Gardens, Overy Liberty, High Street, Market Street

DART 2

Market Street, Lowfield Street, Princes Road, Park Road, The Brent, St Vincent’s Road, Attlee Drive, Henderson Drive, Farnol Road, St Edmund’s Road, Keyes Road, Henderson Drive, Trevithick Drive, Temple Hill, Mill Pond Road, Hythe Street, Home Gardens, Overy Liberty, High Street, Market Street.

Are you one of those getting a new bus service thanks to Dart1 and Dart2? Call 01689 885702, e-mail tim.macfarlan@london.newsquest.co.uk or tweet @NewsShopperTim