Decision details

To consider responses from the key stakeholder and public consultations on the draft East Sussex Rail Strategy, alongside seeking approval of this as a supporting document to the East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4.

36.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISION

36.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) note the outcomes of the stakeholder and public consultation undertaken in May and June 2025 on the draft East Sussex Rail Strategy;

(2) acknowledge the importance of the strategy in setting out the County Council’s key priorities for rail in East Sussex, which will place the Council in a stronger position to lobby for future funding and support the development and delivery of future investment in rail in East Sussex;

(3) approve the Rail Strategy, at Appendix 1 of the report, which is a modal strategy supporting the East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4, 2024 – 2050; and

(4) delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to make future minor amendments to the strategy.

REASONS

36.3     The ambition for rail in East Sussex is focussed on the opportunities for integrating infrastructure and services to improve all aspects of the public transport passenger experience to enable seamless and accessible journeys. This aligns with the East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) adopted by the County Council in October 2024 and will also align with the other modal strategies being developed or updated post publication of the LTP4.

36.4     Significant evidence gathering, stakeholder engagement and consultation has been undertaken which has constructively shaped the draft East Sussex Rail Strategy. As outlined in paragraph 2.8 of the report, the outcomes of this engagement and the public consultation identified that there was strong support for the strategy. As set out in paragraph 2.9 of the report, the draft final strategy has been updated to reflect some of the key consultation comments received. Consequently, the 6 priority areas for investment set out in paragraph 1.4 of the report have been identified as part of this process.

36.5     The strategy has been developed for the County Council to demonstrate its priorities for rail, how the Council can achieve them and how progress can be made on these in the short term, whilst also taking full account of the forthcoming changes arising from devolution and local government reorganisation.

36.6     The Strategy will be a live document, and therefore adaptable to reflect the impending changes.