Questions over controversial Eastbourne bus lanes plans

In October, East Sussex County Council’s planning committee agreed traffic restrictions tied to the authority’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

These restrictions will allow for the creation of an eastbound bus lane in Seaside, between the road’s junction with Windermere Crescent and Seaside Roundabout; and a westbound bus lane in St Anthony’s Avenue, between Langney Roundabout and Seaside Roundabout.

The plans had proven to be controversial with the county council having received 544 objections.

The plans were discussed at a full council meeting on Tuesday (December 2) following the submission of written questions.

Cllr David Tutt, member for Eastbourne St Anthony’s and leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat group, asked Cllr Dowling to provide air quality readings at two schools near to the proposed bus lanes.

Cllr Dowling provided readings taken by air quality monitoring stations at Devonshire Park and Holly Place which showed there had been slight improvement in air quality between 2023 and 2024.

Cllr Tutt said: “I am aware of where the monitoring stations are in Eastbourne … but the planning committee were told quite directly that the introduction of a bus lane in Seaside would lead to an improvement in air quality.

“I actually believe that there will be the opposite, because I believe that the congestion it will cause will increase pollution in Seaside.

“There are two schools there [and] the monitoring stations are nowhere near the schools. But you can, of course, conduct monitoring by mobile unit. That doesn’t need to be permanent. I know you can’t put stations all across the town and all of the time.

“So what I am asking Cllr Dowling is if she will be prepared to put mobile monitoring stations near Tollgate School and St Andrews School to take base measurements both of pollutants at the moment and … a year after the introduction of [the bus lane] on the same date … so we can see whether that statement, that ‘air quality will be improved’, is true or false?”

Cllr Dowling declined to make a commitment, highlighting how air quality monitoring was a responsibility of borough and district councils.

Cllr Dowling also responded to a written question about the council’s plans to install a new eastbound bus lane on Upperton Road and Station Parade, running between Wharf Road and the railway station.

It asked: “Are you aware of the impact that the proposed BSIP scheme would have and the congestion it would cause in Station Parade, the Avenue and Upperton Road, along with the impact this would have on the local economy and the retail sector?”

In her written response, Cllr Dowling said: “The introduction of the A259 Upperton Road/Station Parade bus priority scheme will build on the existing bus priority measures in Eastbourne town centre on Terminus Road from the station to Bankers Corner, as well as in Gildredge Road, and supports a clear policy direction that is consistent with our Local Transport Plan.

“Traffic surveys were undertaken in August and September 2024, to understand congestion levels and driver behaviour in the area. A simulation model was then developed by digitally replicating the traffic patterns of all road users, which measured the impact of the proposed changes.

“The modelling centred on the areas around Upperton Road and Station Roundabout, using data from traffic surveys. Findings showed that the proposed bus priority measures are expected to reduce journey times for both buses and general traffic during peak hours.”

Cllr Dowling added the project would “minimise disruption to businesses and keep the area accessible for deliveries” and had been “based on thorough technical studies and road safety audits”, with the aim of striking “a fair balance between the needs of all road users”.