East Sussex County Councillor welcomes installation of new bus shelters in Newhaven and Seaford

East Sussex County Councillor for Newhaven and Bishopstone Lesley Boniface posted photos of the installation work to her Facebook profile on Thursday, October 8.

Her post said: “Thanks to everyone who has contacted me and sent photos of the first of the bus shelters going in.”

Lewes District Council (LDC) was approached for comment and confirmed that the bus stops installed on October 8 were at the Newhaven Interchange.

The council also provided photos of the work being carried out.

Councillor Boniface then posted to Facebook on Monday, October 12, saying: “I’ve just heard that bus shelters are being installed this week in the locations below: Brighton Road (although it looks like the Fairway); South Way; Bishopstone Road, Seaford; A259 opposite Chyngton Gardens, Seaford; Sutton Road near Alfriston Road, Seaford.

“As soon as I hear more I'll let you know.”

She also said the library bus stop in Seaford is on the ‘soon to be done’ list.

The district council has been approached for updated information about the installation of the new shelters. In a previous statement, LDC confirmed the bus shelter replacement programme was going ahead, but said there had been a delay in the manufacture of the new shelters. This statement said: “Around half of all replacement shelters are expected to be in place by the end of October. This relates to the 39 bus shelters the council is responsible for, representing around a quarter of the 160 shelters across the district.”

LDC had issued the statement in response to concerns from County Councillor Boniface and Lewes District Councillor Olivia Honeyman (Seaford South ward). These councillors said in late September that residents across the district had been left without bus shelters for months.

Councillor Boniface told this newspaper on Monday: “I’m pleased to see the new shelters are now being installed. Hopefully they will be completed quickly and councillors will continue to be updated as dates are known. It’s a shame that communication from officers hasn’t been as frequent as it could have been so that we could field queries from residents efficiently and manage expectations.”

LDC’s September statement said: “The contractor understands that the installations must be treated as a priority, and we will continue to do everything possible to ensure the new shelters are in place as quickly as possible.”

It also said the replacement programme is scheduled for completion by mid-February.