East Sussex Councillor Approves Progression of New Bus Lane Plans

A senior county councillor has decided that proposals for new bus lanes in an East Sussex seaside town will advance. Councillor Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, granted approval for officers to proceed with plans to install new bus lanes in Eastbourne along the A259, Seaside, and St Anthony’s Avenue. These proposals, which were subject to public consultation over the summer, represent a revised version of plans the council considered last year. Ms Dowling stated: “I know this is a very controversial, very emotive subject, particularly for those who live and work within the area concerned.” Previous versions of the scheme had envisioned bus lanes on both sides of the road, which had drawn strong opposition from residents and businesses due to the associated loss of parking spaces. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, officers indicated that the revised scheme addresses these concerns by incorporating bus lanes on only one side of the road. The revisions also encompass changes to road crossings, the removal of several traffic islands, and the introduction of new parking spaces. Objectors, however, maintained that the revised scheme remained unacceptable and even introduced new problems concerning highway safety, pollution, and congestion. The scheme will now progress to its subsequent stage, which involves the development of a detailed design and the council seeking government sign-off on its amendments. Ms Dowling added: “Taking into consideration the changes that have been made by the officers as a direct response to feedback by businesses and residents, the additional traffic modelling results, the outcome of the public consultation and the expected benefit for bus users…I am going to approve these recommendations.”