A tree will be cut down in Station Parade, Eastbourne, to make way for a controversial bus lane, East Sussex County Council have confirmed.

The silver birch tree outside That Coffee Place will be removed to allow an eastbound bus lane between Wharf Place and the train station, with a replacement planted in a different location.

The decision followed a public consultation on the felling of the tree that will make way for the lane – part of the government-funded £41.1 million East Sussex Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

Hayley Chester, owner of That Coffee Place, has protested against this for months, warning that ‘it would be the end of small businesses’ like hers if it went ahead.

Protestors outside That Coffee Place. Photo: contributed.

placeholder image — Protestors outside That Coffee Place. Photo: contributed.

She said: “I am devastated about the results from the public consultation given the majority of the public’s opinion was to keep the tree, and not proceed with the bus lane or the felling of a perfectly healthy tree.

“In the report from the public consultation they have stated they have taken onboard the views of the public. If you look at the social media posts regarding this outcome, I think public opinion will say the complete opposite.”

Hayley plans to tie a yellow ribbon around the tree, indicating her plea to ‘save the tree’, and has urged local businesses in Station Parade to share their concerns with the project manager directly.

She added: “I would also like to stress that I am not against bus lanes or improving road areas, but when used in the right areas for the right reason & in the right way.

Hayley Chester, owner of That Coffee Place. Photo: staff.

“Station parade is not the right place for a bus lane, given how short the lane is on both sides. It will just cause more congestion for all other road users that will now be in single lane traffic.”

A spokesperson for the East Sussex County Council said: “Removal of the tree is necessary to ensure the pavement is fully accessible following changes to the road layout as part of the East Sussex Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) scheme for Upperton Road/Station Parade.

“Officers considered a number of alternatives during the design stage of the scheme to avoid losing the tree, but no other options were deemed suitable due to the risk of damaging the tree’s root system, the presence of underground pipes and cables, and the increase in costs.

“The bus priority scheme on the A259 along Upperton Road and Station Parade will build on the existing bus priority measures in Eastbourne town centre and improve journey times and support a more reliable service enabling access to employment, education and other services in the town.”

According to the results of the consultation published online by the council, 188 of 194 responses objected to the felling.

The council claimed alternative options were considered that would have avoided the tree’s removal, including moving the roundabout arrangement on the A259 Station Parade and retaining the existing layout of the road, but these options were determined to be too problematic.