Quality Bus Corridors

The Local Transport Plan identifies the following roads within Eastbourne as quality bus corridors:

• A259 Seaside

• A2021 Kings Drive

• A2270 Willingdon Road/Upperton Road

Background

In 2004 East Sussex County Council (ESCC) held an exhibition and consultation exercise. Various measures were proposed that would progress the development of quality bus corridors within Eastbourne including:

• the introduction of a short section of bus-only lane in Seaside

• converting existing uncontrolled zebra type pedestrian crossings to controlled types (such as a Pelican or Puffin type)

• the installation of bus build-outs

• changes to junctions and roundabouts to give greater priority to buses and public transport.

Funding

ESCC have identified £180,000 of Local Transport Plan funding for 2005-2006 for the construction works associated with quality bus corridors.

Real-Time Information Systems for Eastbourne Buses

Works associated with the establishment of these corridors include the installation of an Urban Traffic Management Control (UTMC) system. It is proposed that a UTMC system will be introduced into Eastbourne by summer 2006 with at least 21 bus stops to be equipped with the real-time information system. The bus stops have been chosen by Eastbourne Buses. The estimated cost is £600,000.

The system can incorporate the following functions:

• Real time information on car parking availability

• Real time information on bus times (time to next bus, for example.)

• Bus priority measures at traffic signal control junctions

• Traffic management

• Pollution monitoring

Similar systems are currently in operation in other parts of East Sussex and have proved a major contributor to a successful integrated transport strategy.