Vital bus link faces axe

UCKFIELD and Lewes MPs have spoken out in opposition to the withdrawal of a vital bus service between the towns.

The Connex number 60 service is to be axed in January next year. The announcement has been met with dismay by the towns politicians.

An East Sussex County Council spokesman this week confirmed that the service, which runs through Ringmer, will make its last trip on Saturday, January 26.

Council chiefs are currently in talks with other bus companies with view to securing a replacement operator.

The number 60 bus runs directly between both towns railway stations and is regarded by many commuters as an essential link between Uckfield and Lewes. Connex s decision to discontinue the service comes just months after its franchise to run the region s railways was handed over to rival operators GoVia.

Wealden MP Charles Hendry said: 'I will be making contact with Connex and GoVia straight away to put pressure on one of them to continue the service.

'What we need is an enhancement of the service between Uckfield and Lewes in the continued absence of a rail link between the towns. This is a step in exactly the wrong direction. There are many people who need that link and this is a very backward step.

Lewes MP Norman Baker said: 'These are vital services that need to be maintained. How can people be persuaded to go by public transport if there is no certainty how long particular services will last?

'It is important that the integrated bus-train ticket arrangement on the Uckfield route continues. This provides a seamless service, allowing passengers to buy a single ticket to travel on the bus between Uckfield and Lewes and on the train thereafter.

The number 60 route is a commercial route and therefore does not receive any subsidy from East Sussex County Council.