Lewes Lib Dems, including MP James MacCleary, have reacted after efforts to persuade Secretary of State Angela Rayner to overturn the South Downs National Park Authority’s (SDNPA) decision to allow the demolition of Lewes bus station were unsuccessful.
The government ruled out calling in the application, following a letter from James MacCleary asking for it to be called in.
Despite years of campaigning by local residents, the SDNPA now has the authority to proceed with the developers and approve terms for demolition.
This decision is likely to be the final blow for the bus station, paving the way for bulldozers to move in.
Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes James MacCleary said:
“I wrote to the Secretary of State with the hope that a focus on public transport and strengthening local communities would save a key piece of infrastructure. Instead, vulnerable residents — including older people, those with disabilities, and children — will have to navigate the dangerous Phoenix Causeway in order to change buses.
"All for a few luxury flats which local people cannot afford and which will therefore do nothing to solve the acute local housing shortage.”
Local Lib Dem Town Councillor Kevin West said:
“The blame lies squarely with East Sussex County Council.
"This situation was predicted years ago. In my view, East Sussex County Council (ESCC), who are fully in charge of roads and public transport, could and should have acted a lot sooner to save the site or to propose an alternative site.
"And far from doing that, they have accepted that three buses on one side and two bus stops on the other side of the Phoenix Causeway — of all places, one of the busiest and fastest roads in the town — would make a perfectly suitable bus interchange.
"It’s just another example of how ESCC are not doing a good enough job, and no one is holding them accountable. It’s a kick in the teeth for Lewes.”
“This is a wake-up call for anyone who thinks ESCC is standing up for Lewes residents. As far as I’m concerned, we need to be challenging their decisions and the way they run things, every time, and asking whether this is in the interests of Lewes residents.
"They need to be held to account far more effectively.”
Cllr Janet Baah, Lewes District Councillor for Lewes Bridge, said:
“Lewes Liberal Democrats have public transport as a key priority and will be campaigning for proper bus provision in our town, including a proper bus station.”
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