Liberal Democrat councillors have criticised Lewes District Council over continued problems with missing bus shelters, with residents across the district left without shelter for months.

The Lib Dems previously raised concerns over missing shelters in Seaford, Newhaven and Peacehaven. Shelters have since also been removed along the coast, leaving residents without somewhere to sit or shelter while waiting for buses. Heading into the winter resident's are still unclear on where they stand.

Some sites have also been left with broken glass, litter and trip hazards following the removals.

Newhaven and Bishopstone Lib Dem county councillor Lesley 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.

"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."

Councillor Olivia Honeyman, Seaford South 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."

On 23rd July, Newhaven Town Council unanimously passed the River Rights Charter for the River Ouse.

Brought forward by Lib Dem councillors James Harrison and Lesley Boniface, this commits the council to put the river’s health at the heart of future decision making.

The council will now work with neighbouring authorities and groups to protect the Ouse from pollution, support its wildlife, and work towards its restoration for the benefit of future generations.

James Harrison said: “The River Ouse is at the heart of Newhaven and our wider community, but for too long our rivers have been treated as somewhere pollution can simply be dumped. This charter is about putting the health of the Ouse at the heart of the decisions we make and working together to protect its wildlife, clean up our river and leave it in a better state for future generations.”

 

Lewes constituency MP James MacCleary has condemned Brighton & Hove City Council’s plan to expand eastwards into Newhaven, Kingston and nearby villages as its response to the Local Government Re-organisation process. He says the proposal would drag rural and coastal communities into a city they have no natural link to, undermining local identity and risking poorer representation.

James MacCleary has written to every household affected, informing them of the proposed changes.

MacCleary is urging all residents of Newhaven, Kingston, Piddinghoe, Rodmell, Iford, Southease, Northease, Swanborough and Falmer to take part in both public consultations – one run by Brighton & Hove City Council and one by Lewes District Council – before the 25th of August deadline.

James said: “Brighton’s Labour-run council proposals make no sense; Newhaven is a distinct community ten miles from Brighton. Kingston and surrounding villages are rural, and much of the area lies in the South Downs National Park. These are not Brighton communities, and residents do not want to be ruled from Hove Town Hall.

“It is unclear what, if any, benefits this brings to our communities - the benefits to Labour’s debt-ridden administration in Brighton are a lot clearer.

“Lots of residents have contacted me to express their reasonable concerns and confusion. The Government wants Sussex to move forward quickly and the East Sussex proposal enables that by sticking to current boundaries and keeping communities together. Brighton’s unwelcome plan has turned the whole thing into a real dog’s breakfast and risks delaying the whole process.

“It’s telling that their consultation doesn’t even consider expanding west into Shoreham and Southwick, where the urban area naturally continues – instead they’ve gone straight for carving up East Sussex. Surely all options should be considered.

“This is about who makes decisions for your community – and whether those decisions are made by people who understand it. If we don’t speak up now, we risk being absorbed into Brighton against our will. If Labour thinks it can quietly stitch this up behind closed doors, they’ve picked the wrong fight.”

Cllr Sarah Osborne, County Councillor for Ouse Valley West and Downs added: "I recently spoke at a packed meeting of concerned residents in Kingston who were unanimous in their strong opposition to Brighton and Hove's land grab. Residents are worried about changes to services such as Adult Social Care and the impact on children at or wanting to attend schools in East Sussex. I would encourage all residents to make their views known by completing both consultations on the proposals”

Cllr Carolyn Lambert, County Councillor for Seaford South added: "It's clear that this cynical landgrab is deeply unpopular with local residents.  The proposal will break the natural geographical, economic and social ties that Seaford has with Newhaven and with other communities along the coast strip. The proposal would only create confusion instead of unifying communities and I join my colleagues in urging residents to resist this Brighton and Hove takeover".

You can respond to the consultation on the proposals at the links below, and we have included some pointers as to what you can say at this link:

Brighton & Hove: https://yourvoice.brighton-hove.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/exploring-the-options-for-local-government-reorganisation

Lewes District: https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/LGR

Councillor Stella Spiteri has written to Brighton and Hove asking for more details of their thinking with regard to their proposed expansion in the Newhaven and Kingston direction.

Dear Councillor Sankey,

Re: Government Reorganisation Proposal – Inclusion of Newhaven and Kingston Wards

Following your recent announcement regarding Brighton & Hove City Council’s proposal to include the Newhaven and Kingston wards within a revised local government boundary, I am writing to request further information on this significant development.

On behalf of myself, as District Councillor for Kingston Ward, and fellow Newhaven Councillors,  I am keen to understand the rationale behind this proposal and what it would mean for residents, particularly in terms of local representation, planning policy, service delivery, and council tax for both Kingston and villages and Newhaven.

Given that Kingston lies within the South Downs National Park, could you please clarify how the governance arrangements would work in this context? In particular, how would the City Council intend to coordinate with the South Downs National Park Authority in respect of planning and environmental management responsibilities?

It would be helpful to understand the strategic objectives behind the reorganisation, any consultation processes planned, and the anticipated timeline for further developments.  Can you please advise what alternate boundaries have, and are, being considered.

I look forward to your response.

 

Cllr Stella Spiteri, Kingston Ward

Residents in Newhaven are set to benefit from a major local road safety improvement, after sustained pressure from the Lib Dem MP James MacCleary led to East Sussex County Council agreeing to reduce the speed limit and deliver safer pedestrian crossings.

In a recent letter to James MacCleary MP, Rupert Clubb, the Council’s Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, confirmed that the speed limit on Avis Road will be reduced to 30mph  -  an extension of the existing limit back towards the A26 junction. The decision comes after local concerns were repeatedly raised by James on behalf of residents who have been calling for safer conditions on the busy road.

Alongside the speed limit cut, new measures will include:

• A new central pedestrian island north of the Mount Road junction, making it safer to cross the road.
   
• A new section of footway on the eastern side of Avis Road, linking safely to the southbound bus stop.
   
• Improved access for people crossing to reach Drove Ponds and Drove Park, helping families and walkers enjoy local green spaces more easily.
  
   

James MacCleary, MP for Lewes, which includes Newhaven, Seaford, Polegate and surrounding local villages, said: “Improving road safety across Newhaven and the constituency as a whole has been a key focus of mine – and this is another positive step forward. Whether it’s the A259, C7 or residential roads, too many people have told me they don’t feel safe walking or cycling, especially with children.

“Lowering the speed limit and introducing safer crossings and footways will make a real difference for families, older residents and anyone trying to get to the bus stops, parks and ponds. I’ll keep a close eye on the plans to make sure they’re delivered and continue pushing for improvements like this where they’re needed.

“This is a real win for local people and shows what we can achieve when residents’ voices are heard loud and clear. I’m proud to have pushed for this on behalf of everyone who has raised concerns with me. I’ll keep a close eye on the plans to make sure they’re delivered and will keep standing up for improvements like these where they’re needed.”

Corina Watts, local Lib Dem councillor for Newhaven North, added: “This is a fantastic step forward. I know how hard local people have pushed for these changes, and I’m so pleased they’re being delivered. I’ll be keeping residents updated as the plans progress.

“Local people will have the chance to comment when the Traffic Regulation Order for the new speed limit goes out for consultation later this year, and I urge people to partake in this and make their views heard.”

The improvements are being delivered as part of the Bus Service Improvement Programme and bus priority measures for the Denton Corner/Avis Road area. Subject to consultation on the Traffic Regulation Order for the speed limit, the measures are programmed for delivery this financial year.

James MacCleary MP for Lewes constituency which includes Newhaven has pressed Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood on investment to improve the A259 in Newhaven and Seaford. 

He has also welcomed the news that East Sussex County Council has dropped controversial plans for an eastbound bus lane in Newhaven that would have run across the entrance to Sainsbury’s and made congestion problems even worse. The response from ESCC is here.

In a meeting in Parliament this week, MacCleary urged the Minister to fund in full the package of improvements to the A259 submitted after a study into the road. Highlighting daily delays affecting local residents, businesses, and air quality, MacCleary emphasised the importance of keeping Newhaven’s transport challenges firmly on the government’s agenda.

At the same time, East Sussex County Council has confirmed it is removing the proposed eastbound bus lane near The Drove roundabout from its Bus Service Improvement Plan following strong objections from MacCleary and local Lib Dem councillors.

The rest of the council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) is still proceeding as planned including reconfiguring Denton Corner and adding an additional lane for a bus lane westbound on The Drove.

Newhaven’s MP, James MacCleary, said: “My thanks to the Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood MP, for taking the time to listen to my concerns about the growing traffic crisis in Newhaven. It is the first time that the issue has been raised in the House of Commons and I wanted to make clear to her how severe the problem has become for residents, businesses and visitors.

“The County Council has submitted a business case to government for a series of improvements along the A259 including central Newhaven, the notorious Bishopstone Road junction, and also in Seaford. I have pressed strongly for this to be included in the forthcoming government spending review and will keep up the pressure on it.

“I also strongly welcome the County Council’s common sense decision to scrap the proposed eastbound bus lane along The Drove outside Sainsbury’s. It was clearly going to make Newhaven’s congestion problems worse, not better, and I’m glad the council has listened to me and other residents who spoke out strongly against it.”

Newhaven Councillor Lesley Boniface (Lib Dem) added: “I’m relieved that the County Council has seen sense and dropped the eastbound bus lane. Local Councillors, residents and businesses made their views very clear from the inception of the BSIP project: we need solutions, not schemes that risk making things worse.

“The focus now must be on improvements that genuinely ease congestion, support local buses, and improve the lives of Newhaven residents. We’ll continue to push hard until meaningful action is delivered.”