Hawkhurst Bus Station closedown
16th February 2008

Hawkhurst Bus Station (owned by Arriva Kent & Sussex and previously Maidstone & District) saw its final departures on Saturday 16th February 2008, before closing down for the last time.
A special running day was organised with former Maidstone & District vehicles (and some from other operators) providing free services between 1000 and 1530hrs. Despite extra buses using the station and often heavy traffic congestion where the A229 and A268 cross each other, Arriva, Stagecoach and Countryliner maintained their normal services from the Bus Station and these photos include a couple of examples.

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DH379 (NKT 875) was the first of a large batch of all-Leyland PD2s delivered to M&D in 1951. It is seen leaving the bus station during the morning of the event.
DH379 (NKT 875) was the first of a large batch of all-Leyland PD2s delivered to M&D in 1951. It is seen leaving the bus station during the morning of the event.
 VRT 5847 heads for Cranbrook during the morning of the event.
VRT 5847 heads for Cranbrook during the morning of the event.
 A headline on the notice displayed at the Budgens supermarket near the bus station (and itself on the site of the former Davis Coaches depot)
A headline on the notice displayed at the Budgens supermarket near the bus station (and itself on the site of the former Davis Coaches depot)
 One of several non-M&D vehicles to offer free rides for the day was former Maidstone Corporation no.26, a Massey-bodied Leyland PD2A of 1963. Here it turns at Robertsbridge Station.
One of several non-M&D vehicles to offer free rides for the day was former Maidstone Corporation no.26, a Massey-bodied Leyland PD2A of 1963. Here it turns at Robertsbridge Station.
The modern successor to traditional M&D route 84 south of Hawkhurst is the 349 operated by Stagecoach. 35237 awaits the 1335 departure to Hastings.
The modern successor to traditional M&D route 84 south of Hawkhurst is the 349 operated by Stagecoach. 35237 awaits the 1335 departure to Hastings.
 A general view of the departures platform from outside the front of the station,
A general view of the departures platform from outside the front of the station,
 Though not used in service, DH159 (HKE 867) was displayed at the Bus Station for most of the day. It is a 1945 Bristol K6A rebodied by Weymann in 1953, and has been owned by the M&D and East Kent Bus Club for the past 40 years.
Though not used in service, DH159 (HKE 867) was displayed at the Bus Station for most of the day. It is a 1945 Bristol K6A rebodied by Weymann in 1953, and has been owned by the M&D and East Kent Bus Club for the past 40 years.
 Reliance S6 turning onto the departure platform
Reliance S6 turning onto the departure platform
The free services included several departures each hour to the parking area at the site of the former Hawkhurst railway station at Gills Green, now an industrial estate. SO277 heads north (the photo was taken from the rear of S6).
The free services included several departures each hour to the parking area at the site of the former Hawkhurst railway station at Gills Green, now an industrial estate. SO277 heads north (the photo was taken from the rear of S6).
 East Kent Dennis Lancet II JG 8720 arrives at Gills Green
East Kent Dennis Lancet II JG 8720 arrives at Gills Green
 East Kent FFN 446, seen at the former Hawkhurst rail station site at Gills Green during the early afternoon
East Kent FFN 446, seen at the former Hawkhurst rail station site at Gills Green during the early afternoon
 SO277, S6 and 2816 lined up at Gills Green
SO277, S6 and 2816 lined up at Gills Green
Highbridge VRT 5138, now preserved in post-NBC green and cream livery with Unibus-style wrapround adverts, leaves the bus station during the afternoon.
Highbridge VRT 5138, now preserved in post-NBC green and cream livery with Unibus-style wrapround adverts, leaves the bus station during the afternoon.
 SC390 begins its return journey to Maidstone displaying express service route number E8
SC390 begins its return journey to Maidstone displaying express service route number E8
 Recently restored VRT 5847 leaves the bus station carrying the number of the long east-west route 97 (although most journeys serving Hawkhurst ran either to or from Tunbridge Wells, only a few positioning trips going towards Tenterden or Ashford).
Recently restored VRT 5847 leaves the bus station carrying the number of the long east-west route 97 (although most journeys serving Hawkhurst ran either to or from Tunbridge Wells, only a few positioning trips going towards Tenterden or Ashford).
 Alexander-bodied Volvo Ailsa 5385 was one of five such vehicles delivered to M&D for NBC trials at the end of 1975, and now preserved locally.
Alexander-bodied Volvo Ailsa 5385 was one of five such vehicles delivered to M&D for NBC trials at the end of 1975, and now preserved locally.
Though not used in service (and still running on trade plates), Panther 3132 was able to make an appearance to take part in the convoy of departures arranged after 3pm.
Though not used in service (and still running on trade plates), Panther 3132 was able to make an appearance to take part in the convoy of departures arranged after 3pm.
 SO277, a 1959 Park Royal-bodied AEC Reliance, leaves the bus station towards the end of the day's event.
SO277, a 1959 Park Royal-bodied AEC Reliance, leaves the bus station towards the end of the day's event.
 Leopard 2816 leaving the Bus Station
Leopard 2816 leaving the Bus Station
 Countryliner managed to maintain their two departures per hour (a 254 to Tunbridge Wells and a 304 or 305 to Hastings) around the half hour even though traffic congestion in Hawkhurst was quite heavy at times
Countryliner managed to maintain their two departures per hour (a 254 to Tunbridge Wells and a 304 or 305 to Hastings) around the half hour even though traffic congestion in Hawkhurst was quite heavy at times
The departures platform at Hawkhurst Bus Station, looking towards the rear of the site.
The departures platform at Hawkhurst Bus Station, looking towards the rear of the site.
 The arrivals platform, looking towards the rear of the site
The arrivals platform, looking towards the rear of the site
 At the end of the afternoon, the site returned to its normal quiet allowing some general pictures to be taken
At the end of the afternoon, the site returned to its normal quiet allowing some general pictures to be taken
 A final view of the site taken around 3.45pm
A final view of the site taken around 3.45pm
© 1998-2009 Derek M Jones - All copyrights rest with the Author
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