Littlehampton business feared it would have to shut for good after relocation of bus stop
An independent Littlehampton business feared it would have to shut for good after a bus stop was moved outside – preventing people from parking.
According to Stagecoach South, the demolition of the closed Waitrose supermarket, at Anchor Springs, ‘required the temporary suspension of the town-centre bus terminus’.
Managing director Marc Reddy added: “After reviewing the available options, council teams have worked hard to ensure buses can continue serving the community from relocated stops on Church Street and High Street while these works take place.”
However, this adversely affected the owners of Sussex Mobiles Ltd – a phone repair shop in Manor Parade Shops, Church Street, Littlehampton.
Whilst the ordeal was ongoing, Susan Mitchell explained: “Due to the demolition of Waitrose, the bus depot has been moved directly outside our shop front. It is temporary as far as we know but is causing a lot of issues with our business.
"This is our busiest time of the year and this is completely inconsiderate."
The shop owner added that there have been 'about five incidents' where the double-decker buses have 'hit the overhang' outside the businesses.
Arun District Council suspended parking bays along the north side of Church Street to ‘accommodate the updated temporary bus stop arrangements’, as ‘requested by West Sussex County Council’.
Mrs Mitchell added: "A lot of our customers are elderly and the one-hour parking was great for them.
"We are constantly having to move people from our shop door as they are completely blocking it off. This is unacceptable as this is also a fire exit.
"This was not proposed to any of the business owners to hear our thoughts on this.
“If this carries on all over Christmas, then we may have to consider closing our business completely.”
The owners eventually got what they wanted – with the bus stop moved to the opposite side of the road ‘so that they go directly up Church Street away from the shops’.
Mr Reddy said: “Bus operators have worked closely with the council colleagues to minimise disruption for customers and to maintain access to the town centre at this busy time of year. Following feedback from customers, drivers and local businesses, adjustments were made to the temporary stops, on Thursday, December 4, to help ease congestion and improve access for everyone.
“Stagecoach is continuing to monitor the arrangements throughout the demolition period, and buses will return to Anchor Springs once it is safe to do so. Stagecoach will continue to work with partners to support the local community during the works.”
West Sussex County Council also issued a statement, in response to the concerns from local businesses.
A spokesperson said: “The ongoing demolition and redevelopment works on the vacant former supermarket building in Littlehampton are works not being undertaken by the county council. The developer of the site advise that they communicated with the impacted businesses in the area during September this year prior to the works commencing.
“We have worked closely with Stagecoach in identifying temporary bus stop locations for the duration of the redevelopment works.
"Sussex Mobiles Ltd was informed of the changes to the bus stop positions on November 25. To help alleviate the concerns raised about loss of customer parking, the positioning of all bus stops near to the shopfronts were relocated on December 4.
"Stagecoach is aware of the approved temporary bus stop relocation points.
“As highway authority, WSCC is committed to managing the highway network responsibly with safety as our top priority. Officers have liaised with the Sussex Mobiles Ltd in resolving the situation together with Arun District Council and Stagecoach.”