Decision details

Following the close of the BSIP – Bus Priority Measures Consultation on 25 September 2023, the Consultation and Engagement Report will be presented to Lead Member. A decision will need to be made on which bus priority schemes to take forward for further design work and construction.

56.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport together with written comments of Local Member Councillor Holt.

DECISIONS

56.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) Note the outcomes of the stakeholder and public consultation on the Bus Service Improvement Plan bus priority measures;

(2) Approve the recommended next steps for each proposed scheme within the Bus Service Improvement Plan bus priority programme as set out in Appendix 4 of the report; and

(3) Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to approve, in consultation with the Lead Member for Transport and Environment the final content of the bus priority package included in the Project Adjustment Request submitted to the Department for Transport and to take any actions necessary to give effect to (2) above.

REASONS

56.3     Following receipt of Government funding to deliver the County Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), the initial package of bus priority measures was identified and developed focussed on two areas – Eastbourne and Newhaven / Peacehaven. A final package of seven bus priority schemes across these two areas were prioritised and put forward for public consultation between July and September 2023 on the basis that they generated the highest benefits for bus users and could generate additional bus passengers and meet the Department for Transport’s delivery timescales. An initial costing exercise highlighted that the cumulative value of the schemes put forward for consultation exceeded the £18.5m BSIP capital allocation available.

56.4     The delivery of the bus priority measures (bus lanes, bus gates) will contribute towards achieving the objectives of East Sussex’s draft Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) and BSIP. Various factors have been considered in determining which schemes should proceed to the next design stages and construction, including the consultation feedback, bus user benefits, the delivery timescale of 31 March 2025 and costs of each scheme, and that not all schemes can be afforded within the funding envelope.