Improved bus services are coming to many areas of East Sussex, it’s been announced this week.
Boosted by a successful bid to central government for funding, the East Sussex Bus Service Improvement Plan is coming to fruition to aid many residents. This is in addition to the lower bus fares which were introduced as part of the strategy as well as the government’s fare cap of £2 for a single journey.
The new move follows the introduction of FlexiBus by the county council. Its aim is to provide buses in rural areas to allow access to health, education and shopping facilities as well as to connect to the wider bus and rail networks.
There will be better connectivity from outlying communities to major centres including Hailsham, Lewes, Crowborough, Eastbourne, Bexhill, Hastings Uckfield, Polegate and across to key conurbations of East Grinstead, Tunbridge Wells and Brighton. Connectivity will be improved to attractions such as the Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Gardens, Michelham Priory and Knockhatch Adventure Park. Links have been strengthened to strategic locations including Eastbourne District General Hospital and schools.
Conservative councillor Claire Dowling, the Lead Member for Transport, said of the improvements: “I very much welcome, and am pleased to see, the new approved bus services starting in July, which follow the new (DDR) Digital Demand Response flexi bus service that we launched in May.”
The new scheme means that a whole raft of new bus services will be introduced. Among the places served by the improvements are: Hailsham, Hellingly Green, Lewes, Laughton, Eastbourne, Polegate, Heathfield, Mayfield, Rotherfield, Mark Cross, East Hoathly, Halland, Uckfield, Herstmonceux, Ninfield, Bexhill, Hastings, Framfield, Blackboys, Frant, Wadhurst, Hurst Green, Flimwell, Ticehurst, Etchingham, Burwash, Broad Oak, Rushlake Green, Crowborough, Jarvis Brook, Maresfield, Danehill, Nutley and Forest Row. Also, Stone Cross, Westham, Dittons Wood, Pevensey, Pevensey Bay, Beachlands, Roebuck Park, Langney, Polegate, Dittons Wood, Fairwarp, Cade Street, Wych Cross, Horam, Maynards Green, Golden Cross, Horsebridge, Magham Down, Buxted, Hadlow Down, Hartfield and Groombridge.
New routes are being introduced, existing timetables extended, service frequency increased and better connections maintained. There will be a much-improved Sunday services in many areas, along with new evening services.
Full details of the new routes here
