Eastbourne council apologises as bus shelter replacements delayed

The council stated its supplier has ‘taken longer than expected to manufacture and install the new shelters’, creating a gap between the removal of older structures and the arrival of their replacements.

Council owned shelters across the town are being replaced, which the authority stating the new bus shelters will be ‘more modern, more accessible, more sustainable, cleaned more regularly and repaired more quickly.

Some residents however have voiced concerns about the shelters being replaced with a gap between the old ones being removed and the arrival of the replacements leaving people waiting for buses without shelter or seating.

Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde also voiced his concerns urging the council to ‘expedite the rollout so residents are not left waiting without adequate shelter and seating’.

In response, a spokesperson for Eastbourne Borough Council confirmed the first of the replacement shelters will be installed this week and and work will continue as the wider programme is rolled out across the town.

A spokesperson added: “Unfortunately, the company providing the new shelters is taking longer than expected to manufacture and install them, resulting in a gap between the removal of some old shelters and the arrival of their replacements.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this is causing and recognise the difficulties this can create for passengers, particularly during periods of hot weather and for those who rely on seating while waiting for services.

“The first of the replacement shelters are due to be installed this week and work will continue as the wider programme is rolled out across the town.

“We are doing everything possible to work with the supplier so that the new shelters are put in place as soon as possible.”

To find out more information about the bus improvement works, visit Eastbourne Borough Council’s website.