Eastbourne needs a coherent, sustainable transport strategy

In Spring of 2020, Eastbourne Eco Action Network (EEAN) lobbied the Transport Authority, East Sussex County Council (ESCC), for urgent action in delivering health promoting ‘active travel’ networks.

For a limited time, government funding exists for improvement to cycling and walking infrastructure and for ‘state of the art’ bus network through Quality Bus Partnerships.

Over the last quarter of a century, the county’s plans for Eastbourne included many well-developed schemes for transport alternatives to the car, but delivery has been patchy, slow, or just hasn’t happened. We believe that Eastbourne must now see progress of these ideas without delay.

ESCC is now producing the next Local Transport Plan (LTP). Given the major housing development around the periphery of Eastbourne and increasing congestion, this must include a transport strategy for Eastbourne.

Essential are measures to decarbonise transport, offer a high quality alternative non-car option, and be fully integrated with development planning processes: no development should proceed without maximising sustainable transport opportunities. Measures must include:

Rapid update and delivery on 26 year old plans for high quality comprehensive and safe walking and cycling networks for the town and rural links – this to follow the government’s plan: Cycling and Walking – Gear Change.

Urgent implementation of bus priority measures, speeding services and improving reliability on the Hailsham-Eastbourne corridor and the Stone Cross – Langney – town centre routes. These feature in detail in the July 2000 Local Transport Plan. These measures are proven to reduce traffic and speed up services.

Upgrade of Hampden Park railway station to expand passenger interchange opportunities on east-west rail journeys, and a revived study for a new station at fast expanding Stone Cross.

EEAN welcomes publication of the Local Cycling and Walking Implementation Plan (LCWIP) published in recent days – and featured in your paper – and will respond.

The Network would also welcome a continuing dialogue with ESCC and EBC on developing and implementing a strategy for Eastbourne and its hinterland.

The right transport strategy could deliver health, environmental, economic, and equal opportunity benefits across an expanding population of 150,000 people – the size of a small city but as yet, without innovative aspirations to match.

Without it the town will continue to suffer the increasing negative effects from dominance of the car.