Lewes District residents ‘fed up’ with missing bus shelters, say Lib Dem councillors

East Sussex County Councillor for Newhaven and Bishopstone Lesley Boniface and Lewes District Councillor Olivia Honeyman (Seaford South ward) say residents across the district have been left without shelters for months while they wait for buses.

The Lib Dems said they previously raised concerns about missing shelters in Seaford, Newhaven and Peacehaven, and said shelters have now been removed along the coast.

Councillor Boniface said: “This has gone on for far too long. Residents have been left standing in the heat and now the rain, often with nowhere to sit or shelter. That is particularly difficult for elderly and disabled residents who rely on public transport.

“What has made this worse is the lack of communication. Ward councillors have been left trying to get answers while residents are asking us when their shelters will come back.”

LDC has apologised for the bus shelters not being in place, confirming that the replacement programme is progressing but saying there has been a delay in the manufacture of the new shelters.

Councillor Boniface said: “I understand that projects can have problems, but the way this has been managed has been shambolic. The council needs to get a grip of this and make sure residents are properly kept informed.” Along with many other local people I’m fed up.”

The councillors said residents are unclear on where they stand as they head into winter.

Councillor Honeyman said: “This situation is getting ridiculous now. We’ve seen residents showing up with their own collapsible chairs. For people who rely on buses, bus shelters are an important part of getting around and waiting safely for their bus.

“We raised concerns about missing shelters months ago and yet residents are still being left without them, with some facing several more months before replacements are installed.

“The council should have been much clearer with residents and ward councillors about what was happening and when the shelters would be replaced. Residents deserve better than being left to stand in the rain or heat with no idea when things will be put right.”

An LDC spokesperson said: “We are sorry that some new bus shelters are not yet in place and fully appreciate the inconvenience and difficulties this may cause for some passengers.

“Unfortunately, the contractor providing the new shelters reported a delay in their manufacture, which has resulted in a gap between the removal of some older shelters and the arrival of their replacements.

“However, the replacement programme is progressing, and new bus shelters are now being put up across Lewes district. Around half of all replacement shelters are expected to be in place by the end of October. This relates to the 39 bus shelters the council is responsible for, representing around a quarter of the 160 shelters across the district.

“The contractor understands that the installations must be treated as a priority, and we will continue to do everything possible to ensure the new shelters are in place as quickly as possible. The programme is scheduled for completion by mid-February.”