An eco-friendly bus scheme has been delayed for two years because of government red tape.

Metrobus bought 20 hydrogen buses, Wright GB Kite Hydroliners, last year, expecting a full rollout in the second half of 2024.

But Crawley's Fastway bus routes cannot benefit from the new vehicles because approval for the refuelling system at the depot is still pending.

Ed Wills, managing director at Metrobus, said: “We are currently able to run a proportion of our hydrogen fleet on the Fastway services, normally about seven or eight on a daily basis instead of 15."

The Argus understands a temporary system is in place to refuel some of the buses.

"We are working closely with our hydrogen supplier Air Products, who in turn is working closely with the Health and Safety Executive to secure the necessary regulatory approvals," said Ed.

Industry publication Bus And Coach Buyer said the company submitted an application to use the hydrogen refuelling system in March 2022 but two years later it is still waiting for approval from the Health and Safety Executive.

Ed said: "Hydrogen needs to form a part of the UK’s decarbonisation strategy if we are ever going to successfully transition away from diesel.

"This needs to be done safely and the HSE need to ensure any potential fuel source is stored safely.”

He told Bus And Coach Buyer: "If the UK is serious about its decarbonisation targets we need a better appreciation that alternative fuels will be required and while of course this needs to be done safely, the HSE need to be able to better support the transition or we will be stuck using diesel for decades to come.”