School children will have to cross four busy lanes of traffic to catch a bus once two stops are permanently removed, it is claimed.

The Save Our Bus Stops campaign are concerned that, once stops H and J are taken from outside Lewisham police station under Lewisham Gateway redevlopment plans, hundreds of pensioners, school children and other passengers will need to pick up services from the new-look Molesworth Street.

Matt Briggs, 44, held a small protest by the bus stops this week and the Lewisham Pensioners' Forum have already started a petition against the changes.

Mr Briggs, a dad-of-two from Boyne Road, said: "They're used by all local people, in particular by the kids going to school because it's very safe."

He added: "It's a classic story of the little guys being completely ignored and trampled on by the big guys."

Residents are now keen to hold a meeting with councillors, developers and Transport for London (TfL) to try and thrash out a compromise.

Mr Briggs said: "We know we only have a short window of opportunity while the focus is on Lewisham. Quite soon the road layout will be set and nothing will be able to be done about it."

He said: "The other thing is that no one knows. If you go to those bus stops are any time of day they're packed and nobody knows that they're going to be taken away."

A spokesman for Lewisham Gateway said: "As part of the works to deliver Lewisham Gateway, which will vastly improve access to Lewisham town centre, the bus stops outside the police station are being relocated to new stops in Lewisham Gateway, around 150 metres from their current location.

"The move will allow traffic to flow more efficiently around the new layout, ensuring that all road users and pedestrians can get to their destinations efficiently. The new stops are also closer to the DLR, Lewisham Railway Station and other bus stops – making it easier to change between buses, DLR and trains. And in the final scheme stops will be closer to the new shops and park, as well as providing easier access to Lewisham’s shopping centre.

"Those coming from the east to use services stopping at H and J will have to walk a little further and cross one road over a signalised junction. The new bus stops will be more convenient for many people coming from the north, south and west of the site to catch these buses. People’s safety is of upmost importance to us and we’ve ensured that the new bus stops are close to green-man crossings so everyone can get to them safely."

TfL’s bus infrastructure manager for south London Gary Snewing, said they were aware of the concerns but it was the result of the Gateway project. He said: "Ultimately the decision to move the bus stops has had to be made due to this development work which includes changes to the road layout in the area."