Now is the time to act

There won’t be any buses, but if there were, they would have wifi!

Research by campaigners fighting to defend bus services in East Sussex reveals a bizarre labyrinth of funding where bus services are threatened because money is being wasted and misdirected, writes Lewes Stop the Cuts media officer Chris Smith.

Lewes Stop the Cuts is a non-aligned campaign group opposed to cuts in public services affecting Lewes. It has over 450 supporters who are sent regular updates. To subscribe visit their website.

So, what has that got to do with Hastings?

It’s not just Lewes bus services which are affected – details of the proposed cuts to bus services in Hastings and Rye can be found in the table below. See also Business in Hastings. According to Chris Smith, the fact that no-one is taking responsibility for a co-ordinated approach means that:

• The government is funding the provision of Wifi on rural bus services, but East Sussex County Council wants to cut most rural bus services, partly because the government has abolished rural bus grants.
• The government is funding a new bus/rail interchange in Newhaven, but bus cuts to Newhaven suburban buses mean that residents in Denton, Heighton and parts of Newhaven Town will have great difficulty using it because they will have to wait up to 2 hours for a bus.
• The government and the county council says it wants to cut congestion and pollution, but is forcing more people to use cars by cutting buses
• The main bus company in Hastings appears to be making significant profits by cherry picking the routes it runs, while other vital Hastings routes are threatened with cuts and closure. The county council could introduce a better bus scheme or a quality bus contract, which would stop this happening, but it declines to do so.
• Government funding promotes leisure bus routes on Sundays but cuts services in the week for people who need to go to work or to attend medical appointments.  For example Chailey residents face the prospect of being able to get a bus to the Bluebell Railway on Sundays but having to wait up to 2 hours for a bus to Lewes in the week.

These cuts are just some of many bus cuts proposed across the county to services supported by the council.

What can HOT readers do?

• Phone East Sussex County Council on 0345 60 80 194 to find out exactly how you will be affected (or see below for Hastings bus services) and take part in the consultation that started in July.
• Tell your county council member that you want them to oppose the cuts at every opportunity.
• Build strength by campaigning across the County – come to the Lewes Stop the Cuts public meeting on 11 September – see the details below.

 What are Lewes Stop the Cuts doing?

• They have contacted parish councils, voluntary organisations and trade unions throughout the county alerting them to what is going on.
• They have created a number of leaflets and flyers publicising the campaign’
• They are organising a public meeting on 11 September 7–8pm Westgate Chapel,
  92a High Street, Lewes  BN7 1XH  

Proposed cuts in bus services provided by Ian Lydon-James - http://www.businessinhastings.co.uk/news/bus-cuts-in-hastings-the-affected-routes

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