MP slams state of local buses – launches campaign for A27 express service

Liberal Democrat MP for the Lewes constituency, James MacCleary, has used a major Commons speech to launch his campaign for an A27 express bus service between Eastbourne and Lewes, warning that the local network is “broken and letting people down.”

James told MPs: “Too many people want to use the bus but simply can’t. Often what should be a 15-minute journey becomes an hour or more – or no bus at all. The A27 needs a direct Eastbourne-Lewes express service, and we must make it happen.”

He cited cases from across his constituency – a woman in Wilmington unable to get to work by bus, a girl in Stone Cross missing college when services failed to appear, and an 85-year-old in Ringmer left stranded when drivers passed them by.

He also raised the loss of Lewes bus station, congestion choking Newhaven’s A259, unsafe school transport forcing children onto the A27, and the need for proper funding for community services.

James added: “Buses should be the backbone of public transport in our towns and villages, but right now too many people are left stranded. I will keep fighting until every community in my constituency has a service they can actually rely on.

“It’s not good enough for my constituents to be stuck at the bus stop wondering if their bus will ever come. Reliable, affordable buses are a lifeline – and I won’t stop until Sussex gets the network it deserves.”