Chaos caused by Generator Group’s closure of Lewes Bus Station

Generator Group has been criticised as buses are forced to park outside Eastgate Baptist Church in Lewes, blocking access for people who are elderly or have a disability.

The Generator Group served notice to East Sussex County Council, closing access to the bus station to buses. East Sussex County Council were forced to create temporary bus stops on School Hill, a major through road in Lewes, removing parking places for local people.

There has, however, been no provision for bus driver rest stops. As a result, drivers from Compass Travel and Brighton and Hove Buses have had to use the bay outside Lewes Baptist Church, and this blocks drop off and pick up access to the Church and Church Hall for people who are elderly or have a disability.

Lewes Liberal Democrats are calling on the Generator Group to reverse their decision and allow temporary bus layovers whilst a permanent solution is found for the problem.

Cllr Janet Baah said, “Removing the ability for drivers to rest is simply not acceptable. The Generator Group have created chaos in Lewes when they do not have planning permission to build on the Bus Station site. Lewes Liberal Democrats have consistently called for the Bus Station to be saved and, if it cannot be saved, to keep it in place at least until a real working alternative is built and ready to use. As a church-goer myself, I find it unacceptable that fellow church goers are unable to access their place of worship."

Lib Dem campaigner Kevin West said, “I don’t blame the bus companies for this issue; their hand has been forced by the actions of the developer. Bus drivers need a place to lay up and users of Eastgate Baptist Church need to be able to access the hall. I’m disappointed in the Generator Group, and also by Conservative run East Sussex County Council who have not done enough to prevent this issue arising.”