Better Transport

Campaign for Better Transport East Sussex campaigns on local issues and supports the national organisation in pressing for sustainable transport. We are currently focused on campaigning against the proposed Hastings Link Road. We also work with the County Council on their parking constraints policy, advising on hospital and college travel plans in Bexhill and Hastings. We are working through the media to support a decent cycle network for Eastbourne, as well as getting involved with Southdown’s national park proposal.

We meet every two months, usually on a Thursday. Meetings alternate between Lewes and Eastbourne.

Protect Our Woodland has been fighting plans to widen and straighten an ancient lane, part of a droveway dating back thousands of years.

The road would serve as access to a £3 billion housing development and Tesco shopping complex planned for a 140 acre Green Field site near Worthing in West Sussex. If approved, one of the last remaining ancient woodlands in the South of England will also be seriously affected.

Having lost faith in the planning process the group has set up a treetop protest camp, and despite a High Court order to quit we are still there one year on.

We meet monthly on Thursdays from 8pm in Worthing.

One of the most tranquil areas in the South East, Combe Haven Valley, is threatened by the proposed Bexhill-Hastings Link Road.

The Hastings Alliance, a group representing the views of several national and local organisations as well as concerned individuals, is opposed to the construction of the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road.

Promoted by East Sussex County Council, this road would run from the A259 in Bexhill to the B2092 Queensway in Hastings and ruin this exceptionally beautiful valley and countryside. The chosen route passes within metres of the Combe Haven Site of Special Scientific Interest, designated as one of the nation's most important wildlife sites, and severely damage the important biodiversity of this region.

Bricycles is the Brighton, Hove and District Cycling Group. The group promotes cycling as a healthy, cheap and environmentally friendly form of transport for business or leisure.

We hold quarterly campaign meetings and occasional bike rides. For more information, please see our website.

Brighton Line Commuters' aim is to represent passengers travelling on the Brighton, Eastbourne and Worthing lines who use Southern and First Capital Connect rail services.

Our committee has regular dialogue with the train operating companies. We have access to senior and local management on a daily basis as necessary and receive advance notification of timetable changes at consultation stage.

We take up all issues in relation to train travel and have in the past been successful in securing the re-timing of services, reinstatement of station stops and improvements to certain safety issues, and have also dealt with problems at station retail outlets, station taxi ranks and bus companies which serve the stations. We have contact with the British Transport police, local MPs and councils as necessary. We are also often contacted by the local media.

We update members regularly by email or post.

The group campaigns for the return of the Uckfield branch to a main line with the reinstatement of two short links: Lewes-Uckfield and Eridge-Tunbridge Wells. This would revolutionise rail travel in the South East and introduce two new main lines between London and the South Coast. It would relieve congestion, increase capacity, open up new rail journeys and be a transport boon to the public.

We hold an AGM, usually in November, and a social walk between Lewes and Uckfield each July.

West Sussex Rail Users Association represents passengers on Southern Railway's services on the Arun Valley line between Three Bridges and Chichester. Our mission is to get the best rail service for Arun Valley rail passengers.

The group has been in existence for more than 30 years and has almost 200 members, with a representative for each station along the line. We hold regular meetings with Southern, Network Rail and local authorities to discuss rail passenger issues. It only costs £2 to join West Sussex Rail Users Association for the year, which includes subscription to our quarterly newsletter and attendance at our annual general meeting, where you can question Southern's senior managers directly.