§ Sir T. Beamishasked the Minister of Transport (1) which local authorities were consulted about their views on the need for an improved bus service between Lewes via Newick and Barcombe and the isolation of Barcombe Mills which will follow the closure on 6th January of the Lewes-Uckfield railway; why he rejected their views; and what consideration will be given to this matter at the public inquiry in Lewes on 29th November
(2) what further consultations he has had with the East Sussex County Council and other local authorities in the area about the provision of additional nonprofit-making bus services in the Barcombe and Barcombe Mills area, in view of the need for adequate alternative public transport after the Lewes-Uckfield line is closed on 6th January.
§ Mr. MarshI have received representations from East Sussex County Council, Chailey Rural District Council and Uckfield Parish Council about the alternative additional bus services which are to be available as a condition of my consent to the closure of the Uckfield-Lewes railway line. There are existing Southdown192W services available on Service No. 19 between Newick and Lewes which operate via Barcombe Cross and on Service Nos. 119 and 122 between Lewes and Uckfield via A26 with a stop at Barcombe Lane. I have undertaken to investigate any specific difficulties which rail users in the Barcombe area expect to encounter as a result of closure.
The Traffic Commissioners, who are statutorily independent, are considering the road service licence applications on the terms of the evidence offered at their public sitting.