Bexley councillors are pushing for a popular bus, which serves Darent Valley Hospital, to be left alone as transport bosses seek to axe stops from it's regular route.

Transport for London recently launched a consultation on their proposal which would see the 428 bus route no longer ferry passengers to the Dartford hospital or Bluewater Shopping centre.

TfL's plan would see passengers change at Crayford to the 96 bus route which would then taken them to the aforementioned destinations.

However, these changes would also introduce double-decker 428 buses, rather than current single-decker models.

Although the proposal is currently under public consultation, Labour councillor for Slade Green and Northend, Cllr Stef Borella has expressed serious concerns over the lack of direct route to Darent Valley.

He said: "“I am concerned that TfL are proposing cuts on this route. Residents from Erith, Slade Green and Crayford rely on this route to provide a direct service to Darent Valley Hospital.

"It is clear that TfL are having to deal with a £700 million a year cut to their budget by this government, but along with colleagues I shall be asking TfL to reconsider this proposal.

Cllr Borella has also said that a solution to the issue could be to fast-track passengers to the hospital to help TfL cut costs while still providing a route for Bexley patients to Darent Valley.

“One proposal I will be suggesting to TfL will be for the 428 route to terminate at Darent Valley hospital and travel as an express route from Crayford to the hospital.

"This would therefore deliver some savings to TfL while still delivering a direct bus route to the hospital from Erith, Slade Green and Crayford.

"I would urge local residents to respond to the consultation arguing that a direct link to the hospital be maintained."

When asked to comment, a spokeswoman for Bexley Council said: "We appreciate the news of the proposed changes to the 428 and 492 bus service in TfL’s consultation last week is concerning for our residents.

"Particularly as the 428 serves Darent Valley Hospital, which the 96 bus now stops at thanks to our many years of lobbying both TfL and Kent County Council.

"We also understand this will mean extra changes for passengers travelling through Crayford.

"We have asked that TfL provide us with the two buses’ usage figures, so these can be considered and to help inform our response and any suggested revisions to TfL by the consultation deadline.

"In the meantime, we strongly encourage residents to share their views by completing the TfL online survey by Tuesday 10 September here.

TfL's latest consultation is also looking to stop the 492 service, which runs through Sidcup, from going to Bluewater and stopping at Dartford town centre.