'It's really frustrating' - businesses still don't know when Eastbourne bus works will begin

East Sussex County Council has revealed plans to create a bus lane along Station Parade but the businesses impacted by this are still yet to be informed when the works will take place.

Denise Harwood, commercial director at the Enterprise Centre argued that the proposed works are ‘nonsensical’.

She said: “If my customers have to go in the outside lane and then cross over a bus lane and then they’re stuck going over a bus lane. Whether they want to turn left to Ashford Road or right to Little Chelsea there will be queues and eventually people will say, I’m not coming to Eastbourne.

“It’s just a bit nonsensical and no one is listening so it’s really frustrating.”

The Enterprise Centre hired their own highway engineer, Lawrence Stringer to evaluate the proposed plans from the county council and independently produced his own report about the bus lane. According to Mr Stringer’s report, if the council change the sequencing of the lights ‘there won’t be any need for the works’.

Denise added: “I’m not anti-buses or spending money but this hasn’t been a problem before so why are they doing works for it now?”

Hayley Chester, who owns That Coffee Place, also expressed discontent with the proposed works. She said: “The last thing anyone wants to do when they’re going shopping is sit in traffic so we are concerned about how it would impact our business. We rely so much of footfall and people coming here after shopping.

“People aren’t going to want to sit in the coffee shop whilst there is a racket outside from construction.”

In a statement about the dates, a spokesperson for ESCC told the Herald: “There are currently no confirmed dates for construction of the bus lane as discussions are ongoing. When details have been confirmed, local business will receive information about the proposed work and construction arrangements.

“Contractor Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) will then be the point of contact for local businesses and will manage communication regarding the work. Information and updates will also be made available through the Council's Eastbourne Station Area BSIP project webpage and a dedicated BBLP webpage will be published.”

About the plans that Denise sent to the county council the spokesperson added: “In 2025, the Enterprise Centre hired consultants to develop an alternative plan for the bus lane. The results of a study looking at this and the county council’s own plan shared with the planning committee showed that the council’s approach performed best for buses and general traffic. The scheme is designed to help improve the bus network in the area, providing a more reliable service for residents, reduce journey times and delays.”