Hawkhurst Bus Station since 1981
1st March 2008

A selection of views taken in or near Hawkhurst Bus Station since 1981. Opened by Maidstone & District on 7th June 1950, the bus station - to island layout with departure and arrival platforms on opposite sides - replaced earlier premises in Winchester Road, and also provided garage facilities for an allocation that peaked at around 30 vehicles from 1985. This followed a period when it had been reduced to an outstation, managed from Silverhill, Hastings between December 1980 and January 1982, when vehicles carried "Hastings & District" fleetnames. In 1983 Maidstone & District was separated from Hastings & District, and the garage building at the rear of the site passed to Kent Engineering. The Hawkhurst allocation regained M&D fleetnames and was provided instead from Gillingham and Tunbridge Wells parent depots, parking in the bus station area itself. Kent Engineering withdrew from the site in 1985, allowing the garage building to return to M&D. M&D became Arriva Kent & Sussex in 1998, and continued to operate from Hawkhurst until its closure on 16th February 2008.

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Leyland-National 3553 awaits departure for Tunbridge Wells in April 1981
Leyland-National 3553 awaits departure for Tunbridge Wells in April 1981
 A long-term resident of Hawkhurst depot yard, between 1983 and 1995, works office P145 (OFN 721F) was a Marshall-bodied AEC Reliance new to East Kent, and had also spent some time as a publicity vehicle hired to M&D at Hastings Coach Station from 1979 to 1982.
A long-term resident of Hawkhurst depot yard, between 1983 and 1995, works office P145 (OFN 721F) was a Marshall-bodied AEC Reliance new to East Kent, and had also spent some time as a publicity vehicle hired to M&D at Hastings Coach Station from 1979 to 1982.
 The nearside of P145 in September 1983, showing the then white-painted display boards
The nearside of P145 in September 1983, showing the then white-painted display boards
 P145, seen ten years later in 1993, by which time the nearside boards and all the aluminium side mouldings had all been overpainted along with the rest of the vehicle in green.
P145, seen ten years later in 1993, by which time the nearside boards and all the aluminium side mouldings had all been overpainted along with the rest of the vehicle in green.
Showing headboards for Canterbury-Brighton route 718, operated jointly with Southdown, East Kent Leopard/Duple 8805 (PVB 805S) prepares to leave for Brighton
Showing headboards for Canterbury-Brighton route 718, operated jointly with Southdown, East Kent Leopard/Duple 8805 (PVB 805S) prepares to leave for Brighton
 East Kent Duple Dominant-bodied AEC Reliance 8030 (HFN 30L) on summer express service E34, passes Leopard 8807 awaiting departure for Brighton on the 718 route from Canterbury. August 1983
East Kent Duple Dominant-bodied AEC Reliance 8030 (HFN 30L) on summer express service E34, passes Leopard 8807 awaiting departure for Brighton on the 718 route from Canterbury. August 1983
 An internal view towards the rear of East Kent coach 8807, showing a Southdown Leopard behind it on the departures platform, where the two vehicles operating on the 718 Brighton to Canterbury service crossed. August 1983
An internal view towards the rear of East Kent coach 8807, showing a Southdown Leopard behind it on the departures platform, where the two vehicles operating on the 718 Brighton to Canterbury service crossed. August 1983
 Bristol VRT 5857, with Invictaway advertising, seen in May 1984
Bristol VRT 5857, with Invictaway advertising, seen in May 1984
Marshall-bodied Leyland Leopard 3450, seen on 18 May 1985 in the overall green version of NBC livery.
Marshall-bodied Leyland Leopard 3450, seen on 18 May 1985 in the overall green version of NBC livery.
 P32 (GCN 805G), was one of twelve former Northern General Alexander-bodied Daimler Fleetlines acquired towards the end of 1972 for service in the Medway Towns, was converted for use as a tree lopper in 1984, and is seen at Hawkhurst in May 1986.
P32 (GCN 805G), was one of twelve former Northern General Alexander-bodied Daimler Fleetlines acquired towards the end of 1972 for service in the Medway Towns, was converted for use as a tree lopper in 1984, and is seen at Hawkhurst in May 1986.
 5889 was one of three Leyland Olympians diverted from Devon General in 1984. Seen in May 1986.
5889 was one of three Leyland Olympians diverted from Devon General in 1984. Seen in May 1986.
 2143 (XCK 219R), a Willowbrook
2143 (XCK 219R), a Willowbrook "Spacecar" bodied Leyland Leopard, acquired from Ribble in 1985, and seen in July 1986.
Illustrating the period during the late 1980s when Hawkhurst's vehicle allocation was at its peak, Leyland-National 3551 heads one of three queues of buses parked in the area alongside the passenger platforms.
Illustrating the period during the late 1980s when Hawkhurst's vehicle allocation was at its peak, Leyland-National 3551 heads one of three queues of buses parked in the area alongside the passenger platforms.
 Bristol VRT 5841, July 1986
Bristol VRT 5841, July 1986
 A general view of the Bus Station with a full contingent of NBC green M&D vehicles in July 1986.
A general view of the Bus Station with a full contingent of NBC green M&D vehicles in July 1986.
 P10 (FKM 713L, originally 5713) was one of twenty MCW-bodied Leyland Atlanteans diverted to M&D from Midland Red, and was converted to open-top as a tree lopper in 1988 to replace P32. Seen in August 1989.
P10 (FKM 713L, originally 5713) was one of twenty MCW-bodied Leyland Atlanteans diverted to M&D from Midland Red, and was converted to open-top as a tree lopper in 1988 to replace P32. Seen in August 1989.
Dual purpose Leyland-National 3901 (originally numbered 2901) received Maidstone Park & Ride livery in the spring of 1990, and is seen soon afterwards on 24 August 1990 in Hawkhurst Bus Station.
Dual purpose Leyland-National 3901 (originally numbered 2901) received Maidstone Park & Ride livery in the spring of 1990, and is seen soon afterwards on 24 August 1990 in Hawkhurst Bus Station.
 Hastings & District, ex Crosville Wales Leyland-National 15 (HCA 975N) leaves Hawkhurst on the 349 which at the time ran through to Tunbridge Wells covering mileage shared with M&D 254. 24 August 1990.
Hastings & District, ex Crosville Wales Leyland-National 15 (HCA 975N) leaves Hawkhurst on the 349 which at the time ran through to Tunbridge Wells covering mileage shared with M&D 254. 24 August 1990.
 Returning to visit M&D premises after acquisition (along with 5827) by Warren, Ticehurst for use on the 254, former M&D Bristol VRT 5825 is seen at Hawkhurst Bus Station on 20 October 1990.
Returning to visit M&D premises after acquisition (along with 5827) by Warren, Ticehurst for use on the 254, former M&D Bristol VRT 5825 is seen at Hawkhurst Bus Station on 20 October 1990.
 A rear view of 5825 laying over between trips on route 254, on 20 October 1990.
A rear view of 5825 laying over between trips on route 254, on 20 October 1990.
© 1998-2009 Derek M Jones - All copyrights rest with the Author
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