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At times other than when used by schoolchildren,
the bus service is limited, not intensively used; it would
be uneconomical to provide a more extensive service - for
example a "late bus" from Faversham - for the
limited number of potential passengers.
The bus service may be useful to Eastling
residents employed in Faversham, but is inadequate for making
connections to other public transport for those needing
to travel further afield.
Otherwise, those without access to their
own private transport can use taxis which are available
from Faversham, Sittingbourne and Ashford.
Those needing to travel by rail
to London need to leave cars at Faversham or Sittingbourne,
where car park spaces are rarely readily available.
Eastling has few opportunities for
employment, services and facilities, and its public
transport provision is limited. Most residents have access
to private means of transport, and therefore rely heavily
on making trips by private car. Those without access to
private cars are very disadvantaged in their freedom and
independence of movement, finding access to facilities difficult
if not impossible.
At certain times of day, particularly
between 8.30 and 9.00 a.m., The Street and parts of Kettle
Hill Road are made extremely hazardous by the combination
of parents driving children to school, and pedestrians walking
with their children.
There are pavements alongside
Eastling Road and Otterden Road, but not alongside The Street
where the road is narrow and cars are regularly parked.
The public footpath leading from The Street towards the
church, through the church car park to Kettle Hill Road,
is well-used at these times.
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