400 sign bus petition

MORE than 400 people have signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of Eastbourne to Seaford evening bus services.

South Coast Buses cut back the last 712 bus from 10.40pm to 8.20pm because it was not profitable.

People and councillors were furious and complained journeys to the Eastbourne District General Hospital and evenings out would be seriously affected.

Pubs and businesses in the Cuckmere Valley were worried they would lose customers as those without cars had no way, other than taxis, to get home.

The petition, organised by Seaford public transport activist Bob Brown and East Dean Cllr Derek Tonkinson, was presented to the vice chairman of East Sussex County Council, Roger Thomas, on Tues-day by county councillors Jon Freeman and Stephen Shing.

Mr Brown said: 'The petition has had a terrific response, with hundreds of signatories, including Seaford and East Dean councillors, officers of Seaford Ratepayers' Assoc-iation, workers and visitors to the tourist attractions at Exceat and even a South Coast Buses driver!'

However, the prospect of gaining funding did not look good. Mr Brown said: 'We have met a wall of denial from both East Sussex County Council and some members of Seaford Town Council that funds are available to restore the evening services.

'I would urge those members to reflect that the 712 service is normally heavily used by visitors to the Eastbourne tennis tournaments and to the airborne show later this summer.

'Are they seriously expected to be forced to leave Eastbourne at 8pm to complete their return journey? Where is the county council's declared policy of Tourism Without Traffic after this fiasco?'

An East Sussex County Council spokeswoman said it was 'unlikely' funding would be available to pay for the reinstatement of the service.

She said: 'It was a cabinet decision not to fund evening and Sunday bus services because of budget problems.'

As reported in the Express last week funding of up to 10,000 is available from the Sussex Rural Community Council parish transport grants. However, 25 per cent of costs has to be met by the applicant.

Seaford Town Council voted not to consider a bid for the grant until September as officers were tied up with council business such as new CCTV cameras, Jubilee celebrations and Christmas lights.