Cross in Hand Village News

51 STAGECOACH BUS SERVICE

East Sussex County Council (ESCC) has confirmed it is in negotiations with bus operator Stagecoach over ongoing issues with the number 51 service from Eastbourne to Tunbridge Wells. And Cllr Anne Cross, County Councillor for Heathfield and Mayfield has lodged a petition with ESCC asking for their involvement in improving the route's frequency and reliability. The 51 bus route used to run every half hour from Heathfield via Hailsham, Heathfield and Mayfield to Tunbridge Wells. Last May it was reduced to an hourly service, causing problems for those who used it to attend hospital, college or catch a London-bound train. The company explained that the Heathfield to Tunbridge Wells element of the route was running at a loss and they could not justify increasing its frequency. At a public meeting convened by Mayfield Parish Council, many attendees said not only was the bus service's frequency effectively halved, there were also circumstances where it failed to turn up at all, leaving them stranded. They were told that keeping to the published timetable was difficult due to ongoing roadworks and traffic hold-ups, meaning on occasion the bus had to turn round in Heathfield and return to Eastbourne. The problems prompted Cllr Anne Cross to organise and deliver a petition to ESCC. Now Cllr Claire Dowling, Lead Member for Transport and Environment, has responded, saying the council will continue to work with Stagecoach to 'identify and implement' highways measures to reduce service delays. She would also aim to ensure there were improvements in real-time passenger information. She said: "Local councillors and residents have long raised concerns about the 51's reliability with many people in this rural part of the country relying heavily on the service for daily travel. Despite previous timetable changes aimed at improving performance, reports of cancellations and delays have continued. A meeting with Stagecoach managers is being arranged and passengers are being asked to share their experiences, both good and bad, to help build an accurate picture of the service. Cllr Cross also asks people to contact her with details of their journeys. She wants to know if their buses are on time and do would-be passengers experience any cancellations.ESCC can be contacted on the issue directly by emailing: [email protected] and copy in Cllr Anne Cross at: [email protected] Residents are continuing to ask the same questions regarding the 51 bus service. Why is it that the 29A bus service to Brighton operates on time. Secondly, the Brighton and Hove bus service operates the service with new state-of-the-art buses a lot different to Stagecoach rattlers

NEW A272-A267 ROAD SAFETY GROUP

Welcome to the New A272/A267 Road Safety Group. This group has been set up to bring together users of the A272 and A267. Many of you reading this will associate Susan King and Melvyn Butcher with the A267 RSG Group. We were two of the three founding members. Due to recent serious online security issues and the time required to resolve them, Susan and I felt the only way forward was to start a new group. Hence the name: The New A272 /A276 Road Safety Group. The A267 is the main arterial road from Tunbridge Wells to the coast. The road terminates at the Boship roundabout. The A272 joins the A267 at Hadlow Down and proceeds to Petersfield in Hampshire. The group's involvement will start at the A272/A267 Junction and end at the A26 Budletts Roundabout (near Uckfield.) The reason for expanding the area is that we have been receiving several enquiries from people living near or driving along both the A272 and A267. The original group was created in November 2025. There is a dedicated Facebook page called. New A272-A67 Road Safety Group. Our contact email address is [email protected]

CROSS IN HAND SPEEDWATCH

From Cross in Hand Community SpeedWatch: “We restarted the SpeedWatch back in September with a very enthusiastic and fun group who are there to educate, not catching anyone. The sessions take place at least once a week at three Sussex Police approved sites in Cross in Hand and another town site, soon to be added. The Cross in Hand Community SpeedWatch has been well received with thumbs up, residents stopping to thank and suggest new sites. Thank you. Most people have been going within the speed limit, but there have were a few who didn’t. Since restarting back in September, dedicated SpeedWatch Volunteers have been out in sunshine and rain. We carried out 13 SpeedWatch sessions, about 70 vehicles over the speed limit made up from mainly cars, one taxi and vans. Max speed in the 30mph speed limit zone 49mph. Average speeder is 30 mph is 37mph. Total number of vehicles passing 744. Vehicles without MOT three, vehicles without TAX two. Which means these vehicles didn’t have Insurance. Sixty educational letters were sent by Sussex Police. We do not want to report any vehicles. Please drive safely and within speed limit as speed pays a massive role in road traffic accidents. If you live in or around Cross in Hand, your Community SpeedWatch needs you! Please contact Cross in Hand Community Speedwatch Co-ordinator Naz at: [email protected].

POLICING

I attended the full parish council meeting at Cross in Hand Community Centre last week. PCSO Park reported that former PCSO Tay had left the police. Until a new PCSO is found, it appears there is now one PCSO patrolling Heathfield and the surrounding villages. PCSO Park also reported on the crime activities in and around Heathfield, mainly due to anti-social behaviour. The Rice Bowl incident was highlighted as well as an individual who rides an electric scooter/ bike around Heathfield.

FRAMFIELD and BLACKBOYS.

Framfield Parish Council has informed residents that a period of public engagement will take place from this week to December 1 concerning future development proposals along a major route into the village. The council says: "Residents may wish to be aware that Martin Grant Homes is preparing to bring forward an outline planning application for land north of Bird-in-eye Hill, Uckfield. This is land opposite Bird in Eye Farm (to the right if heading to Uckfield from Framfield.) The council points out that the developer has been promoting this site through Wealden District Council's emerging Local Plan process for some years and has now indicated plans to consult on proposals for around 215 homes, alongside substantial areas of open green space and new walking and cycling routes. The period of engagement is to give the developer the opportunity to share their latest proposals, including the masterplan, and invite comments from the community. Information will be made available online once the consultation opens. The outline planning application will be submitted in the coming months. Framfield councillors will be attending a virtual briefing with the developer to hear more about the proposals. And they say they will share full details and links to the consultation as soon as they become available. But on social media, many people are already stating objections. Janet Foulger says: 'No-one's buying the houses that have been built. Not enough water, power, jobs, school places, dentists, doctors, decent roads and no thought to floods. This is insanity.' Colin Sharp adds: 'A conservative estimate of another 500 cars to add to the local gridlocked roads. Net zero seems to have been completely forgotten.'

DFDS FERRIES

With Newhaven being so close to Wealden, DFDS ferries are now allowing pets to travel in pet-friendly cabins. Travelling has never been easier (or cuter)! On board Newhaven- Dieppe your furry friend can now travel in unmatched style and comfort. Discover our new pet-friendly services: 3 new pet-friendly cabins. 5 onboard kennels for foot passengers. An outdoor area dedicated to pets (accessible to foot passengers and pet-friendly cabins). Enjoy a comfortable, stress-free crossing, 100% tailored to your needs… and for your furry friend! If you are over 60, there is a 20% discount