Eastbourne business owners protest against controversial bus lane plans
Eastbourne business owners held a protest against plans to install a bus lane in the town centre.
Demonstrators gathered in Station Parade on Friday, May 15, to urge East Sussex County Council (ESCC) to reconsider its controversial A259 bus lane proposals.
The protest was organised by Hayley Chester, owner of That Coffee Place, and garnered support from fellow business owners and customers.
Speaking after the protest, Hayley said: “It's lovely to see people coming down to show their support.
"Not just for me, but to get their points across as well. Obviously they don't want [the bus lane].
"I do hope the council listens because it's really important to people.”
ESCC’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) – funded by a £41.4 million Government grant – could see an eastbound bus lane installed between Wharf Road and Eastbourne railway station.
The authority said the scheme will ‘improve journey times and reduce delays, support a more reliable bus service and improve connections to key destinations, encouraging more people to visit the area’.
But business owners fear the scheme could hurt trade by narrowing pavements, increasing traffic congestion and making deliveries more difficult. Traders are particularly concerned about the loss of convenient unloading areas.
Although there are no official loading bays on Station Parade, many shops currently receive deliveries from drivers who briefly stop on double yellow lines. Traders fear the proposed bus lane would prevent this.
Husband and wife Dipali and Kedar Chavan have run Apex Convenience Store for more than a decade, and were among protesters carrying ‘no to the bus lane’ placards on Friday.
Mrs Chavan said: “My husband has got a medical condition of the heart, and the nearest loading bay [the council] has provided is 100 metres away, which is next to impossible for him.
“We are not against progress, but they have to do it with proper provisions. They cannot ruin the existing businesses.
“We earn from this shop. If it doesn't make any money, how am I going to serve my family?”
An East Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “There are currently no official loading bays on Station Parade and double yellow lines prohibit parking. The new scheme maintains these restrictions as it is not possible to introduce a loading bay within this section of road.
“Official loading bays are currently available on St Leonard’s Road and Southfields Road – approximately 100 metres and 50 metres respectively from either end of the parade of shops. These will remain under the new scheme.
“Loading and unloading on double yellow lines in surrounding roads where there are no loading restrictions will still be permitted, if it does not cause an obstruction. Details of where loading and unloading is permitted can be found on the ESCC website.
“Construction of the scheme is now at the planning stage and information will be shared with the public and traders ahead of any work starting."