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.

Lewes FC – the only club in the world to pay its men’s and women’s teams equally – welcomed the Government’s Minister for Sport, Stephanie Peacock MP, over the weekend for a visit focused on supporting the women’s game.

The visit was secured by Liberal Democrat MP for the Lewes constituency, James MacCleary, ensuring that the government’s minister came to Lewes to see first-hand the pioneering work being done at the Dripping Pan.

Stephanie Peacock MP met with Lewes FC Women’s First Team players Maddie Brant, Emily Moore, Layla Banaras, Sydney Schreimaier and Rebekah Trewhitt after a discussion with the club’s Chief Operating Officer and former US Women’s National Team player Kelly Lindsey, CFO Russell Davis and Club Ambassadors Karen & Charlie Dobres. The Minister heard about the challenges facing women’s football – from pay and prize money disparities to the urgent need for investment in lower-level clubs’ facilities – and how Lewes FC is leading the way nationally.

As part of the visit, leading football equality campaigner Karen Dobres presented the minister with a personalised club shirt bearing her name on the back.

Lewes FC Women’s First Team continues to compete at a high level while championing gender equality in sport, making the club a beacon of progress both in Sussex and across the country.

James has led calls in Parliament to champion the women’s game, including equalising FA Cup prize money.

James said: “I was pleased to secure this visit and bring the Sports Minister to Lewes to see how the women’s game can be a catalyst for growth in football.

“Lewes FC is showing the world what fair treatment in football looks like. Equal pay for their men’s and women’s sides is an example the FA and other clubs should follow.”

“If we want to see women’s football continue to flourish, we need to invest properly in the grassroots and equalise prize money in competitions like the FA Cup.”

Kelly Lindsey, Chief Operating Officer and former US Women’s National Team player, added: “Women’s football clubs need and deserve the chance to earn their own revenues, but too much of the money coming in to the game stays at the top and doesn’t help the clubs and players below the WSL, where money is tight. There are so many clubs out there who can’t afford basic things like gym equipment, player health insurance or even safe lighting around training facilities. An Equal FA Cup prize fund could help change that really quickly.

Lewes Liberal Democrats are calling on the Green-led District Council to end the dithering and commit to moving the Lewes Tourist Information Office (TIO) back to the High Street, after a Lib Dem survey confirmed that 95% of residents want it restored.

The Liberal Democrats first raised the issue after launching a survey, which revealed that 95% of the 448 respondents opposed the council’s decision to relocate the TIO. In response, Lewes District Council launched its own consultation, incurring unnecessary costs and delays.

Despite this, the council has still failed to provide clarity and take action.

The TIO was a vital hub for supporting local businesses, heritage sites, and events. The decision to move it to a tucked away, weekday-only location has made it harder for visitors to access essential information.

The move has been criticised at a time when the council is pitching to attract more tourists than ever, with the council attempting to offer a major new attraction in the form of Charleston at Southover House. Charleston has been offered a discounted rent on a long-term lease, with one stated aim from the council being to increase tourism.

Cllr Paul Mellor, Lewes District Lib Dem Tourism spokesperson said: "With the council offering a sweetened deal to Charleston for the use of a key building in Lewes, it seems bizarre that they can't align this with a clear tourist offer. The council has tried to delay and deflect, but it is clear that Lewes residents want their Tourist Information Office back where it belongs.

"This reflects a culture of waste and pet projects the Green Party first implemented in Brighton and are trying to replicate here in Lewes District. There is no excuse for further delays—this dithering must stop.”

Cllr Janet Baah, Lib Dem councillor for Lewes Bridge said: "Local people tell me regularly they want to see the tourist office moved back to the high street. This situation is similar to the farmers market in town, where people regularly tell me they want to see it returned to the town centre. In both situations, there is an obvious and popular solution for people in town, and the council should listen to them."
 

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.”