Shuttle bus considered during bridge closure

Cllr David Barling on Beeding Bridge, which will have to be closed from January 20 for major repair works

Essential repairs mean the road across the bridge will need to be closed for four to five weeks, with works scheduled to start on January 20.

Bus companies are still finalising arrangements while the road is closed but a shuttle bus is an option being considered.

Andrew Mckinnon from Compass Travel said: “At present, the arrangements are still to be finalised, but buses are likely to be diverted via Steyning bypass, and will be unable to serve either The Street in Bramber, or High Street in Upper Beeding.

“We understand that West Sussex County Council is investigating the possibility of running a shuttle bus linking Steyning with the village centres of Bramber and Upper Beeding in order that these areas will still be served by public transport.”

Brighton & Hove, which operates several services through the villages, is also yet to announce alternative arrangements.

David Barling, county councillor for Bramber Castle, said West Sussex County Council had now made a temporary closure order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to close the Beeding Bridge starting on January 20.

“A publicity campaign will now be put in to practice as far as we are able, although I think a lot of people are already aware,” he said.

“We had anticipated that the bridge strengthening works will last a month from January 20.

“I’ll be continuing to monitor this as work progresses, with the obvious intention of trying to speed them up as far as humanly possible, so as to have the bridge closed for the minimum time necessary to carry out these vital works.”