An agreement between Transport for London and Kent County Council with campaigners could mean a new bus route between Bexleyheath and Darent Valley Hospital.

The 96 bus route may be able to use a stretch of Fasttrack lane to directly take residents from Bexley to Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford.

The 96 currently goes from Bexleyheath to Bluewater.

Bexley Conservatives lobbied Transport for London and Kent County Council to enable the bus to use the Fastrack lane.

Conservative Leader of Bexley Council, Teresa O’Neil OBE, said: “Conservatives in Bexley have campaigned hard for the number 96 to stop at Darent Valley Hospital and this agreement paves the way for this to happen.

“Discussions will now take place with the bus operator Stagecoach and the Council will be working to secure a service to the Hospital as soon as possible.

“Thousands of people from Bexley rely on using services at the Hospital but patients and their families have had difficulties travelling there without a direct bus service.”