MP calls on Strategic Authority to purchase Lewes Bus Station site
James MacCleary MP, together with Lewes District Councillors Edwina Livesey, Janet Baah and Kevin West, has written to the Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority urging it to explore the purchase of the Lewes bus station and former bus garage site.
In a letter to the Authority's Chair, Cllr Bella Sankey, and Interim Chief Executive, Mark Rogers, the group argues that the site represents a rare opportunity to secure strategically important transport infrastructure while also supporting the delivery of affordable housing.
The letter highlights the importance of Lewes as a key transport interchange connecting Brighton and Hove with communities across East Sussex and neighbouring Kent. It points to Brighton and Hove bus routes such as the 28 and 29 as vital links for residents travelling to work, education, and healthcare, particularly in rural communities where public transport provision is more limited.
The signatories argue that public ownership would help secure the long-term future of the site and deliver against the Strategic Authority's ambitions to improve regional transport connectivity, support sustainable growth, and increase housing delivery.
James MacCleary MP for Lewes said:
"This is not simply a question about a bus station in Lewes. This site plays a vital role in connecting communities across Sussex and into Kent, particularly for residents in our rural towns and villages who rely on public transport to access work, education, healthcare, and other essential services.
"The new Strategic Authority has an opportunity to secure infrastructure that supports regional connectivity while also unlocking the potential for affordable housing on the adjoining garage site. Opportunities with such clear strategic value are rare, and I believe this one deserves serious consideration."
Local Councillor Edwina Livesay said:
"Lewes bus station has long been an important gateway for people travelling across our area. Preserving and improving public transport infrastructure is essential if we are serious about reducing isolation, supporting local economies and giving people realistic alternatives to the car."
Local Councillor Janet Baah said:
"The former bus garage site presents an opportunity to deliver much-needed affordable homes in a sustainable location close to services and transport links. It is exactly the kind of site that can help address local housing needs while supporting wider regional objectives."
Local Councillor Kevin West added:
"The Strategic Authority was created to take a long-term view of the challenges facing Sussex. Securing this site would demonstrate a commitment to better transport connectivity, stronger communities and sustainable growth across the region."
The letter calls on the Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority to explore all available options for acquiring the site and securing its future for public benefit.