Evidence base report

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1. Introduction

Overview of the Evidence Base 

This Evidence Base Report represents the foundation from which the fourth Local Transport Plan (LTP4) will be developed by East Sussex County Council. It provides an overview of the current transport landscape and context for East Sussex and is structured according to seven key themes (see Table 1.1) identified through an extensive review of existing policy documents and priorities as well as engagement with local stakeholders.  

This review also helps to ensure both the evidence base and LTP4 align with and build upon the aims and initiatives set out in the existing policy discourse around the current and future transport needs across the East Sussex region. The review included policies across local, regional, and national levels, and considers policy from the transport sector, as well as from ancillary policy areas such as the environment, economy, planning, social and health matters. 

The full policy review report is included in Appendix A - Policy Review. 

This evidence base identifies the historic trends and highlights how transport patterns and other factors have changed. It benchmarks East Sussex against other local authorities where data exists. 

Table 1.1: LTP4 Evidence Base Themes

Our people	Our environment	Our growth
Accessibility, Equity, and Social Inclusion  Safety, Health, and Air Quality  Community and sense of place	Climate change and its impacts  Our local environment and biodiversity	Sustainable Economic Development  Innovation through Technology

This report has been developed through early engagement and results in the identification of transport-related issues and opportunities so it can act as a ‘springboard’ for development of the LTP4 which will focus on establishing an updated transport vision and objectives for East Sussex, as well as developing scenarios, assessing options, and selecting / prioritising schemes. 

Stakeholder engagement has been an integral part of the development of this Evidence Base Report and it will remain a key component of developing LTP4. Ultimately, this Evidence Base Report serves to support decision making by all parties that is both informed and grounded to secure the best transport future for the communities and businesses of East Sussex.

Integrated Impact Assessment  

As part of the development of an equitable and sustainable Local Transport Plan, the preparation of an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) will be prepared to identify, evaluate and mitigate sustainability, environmental, health and equalities concerns.  

The following four impact assessments will form the IIA: 

1. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), covering a range of environmental impacts, 
2. Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) which applies to sites which are internationally important for nature conservation, 
3. Community Impact Assessment (CIA) which assesses social, cultural and equalities impacts, and 
4. Health Impact Assessment (HIA), related to the Community Impact Assessment but with a specific focus on public health and individual wellbeing outcomes. 

When undertaken, the IIA will comprise two distinct parts. The first will focus on scoping, which provides: 

• Updated review of legislation and policy which has environmental or social implications for the LTP, and 
• Up-to-date baseline information including future trends, and key sustainability issues and opportunities. 

The second comprises the production of a report of key findings followed by the full assessment of the LTP’s principles, policies and projects utilising appropriate assessment frameworks.  

As part of the IIA, frameworks for measures to mitigate negative impacts and their monitoring will also be presented. 

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2. East Sussex at a glance

East Sussex is a county in the South East of England, which covers an area of 1,792 sq. km (692 square miles) and includes the administrative boroughs and districts of Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother, and Wealden (Figure 2.1). 

The county is located south of London with Kent to the north and east, West Sussex and the City of Brighton & Hove to the west and Surrey to the north west. 

Key transport network facts: 

• 3,375km of carriageway  
• 2,481km of footways and cycleways 
• 55km being segregated cycleways 
• 483 bridges 
• 2 tunnels 
• 37,500 street lights 
• 66 signal controlled junctions, 140 signal controlled crossings 
• 24.7km of guard rail 
• 40,000 safety bollards 
• 43,695 road signs 
• 2,500km of road markings 
• 28.5km of safety fences / barriers 

Figure 2.1: Main settlements and transport connections

Source: East Sussex in Figures

Population 

Based on the Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2021 Census, the population in East Sussex is approximately 546,000, an increase of over 19,000 people (3.6%) since 2011, with population increases in every district (sources: ONS and East Sussex in Figures).  

Figure 2.2 shows the population distribution  across East Sussex and highlights the rural nature of the region with population densities below 210 people per km2 in the majority of inland areas. 

The most densely populated towns are located on the coast in Peacehaven, Seaford, Eastbourne, Bexhill-on-Sea and Hastings. However, there are also several other densely populated towns located inland, including Lewes, Hailsham, Uckfield and Crowborough. Towns also play an important role in serving their surrounding rural communities. 

Within East Sussex, Wealden is the most populated district, with 160,000 residents. The area has also seen the largest increase in population with an additional 11,000 people compared to 2011 and 20,000 compared to 2001 (an increase of 7.5% and 14% respectively). Hastings has the smallest population at 91,000 and has also seen the lowest population increase with under 900 additional residents since 2011 and 6,000 since 2001 (1% and 7% respectively). 

Figure 2.3 shows the 2020-based, population projections from East Sussex County Council, released in April 2022 prior to the 2021 Census data becoming available. These projections forecast the East Sussex population to increase to 628,000 by 2035, an increase of 12% against the 2020 figure (and 15% against the 2021 Census). 

Based on these projections, all districts are expected to increase in population by 2035, with notable changes including: 

• Wealden is expected to see the greatest increase in population at 22% with an additional 43,600 people, 
• Eastbourne is expected to see the smallest increase at 4% with an additional 4,100 people, 
• Hastings is expected to have 5,000 more residents (+5.4%), Lewes 11,200 (+11%) and Rother 12,100 (+12.5%). 

This population growth will create a need for more new housing, improved/accessible transport and additional employment opportunities. 

Note: As this projection was undertaken in April 2022, it does not include 2021 Census data that released in early 2023.

Figure 2.2: Population density by lower super output area (LSOA)

Source: Office for National Statistics (P04 Census 2021: Usual resident population density, local authorities in England and Wales)

Demographics

East Sussex has an ageing population with over 65s increasing from 112,000 in 2001 to 143,000 by 2021, a 27% increase. Wealden has seen the most significant increase in the number of people aged over 65, increasing from 30,000 in 2001 to 42,000 in 2021, a 43% increase (source: East Sussex in Figures).  

Figure 2.3: Population projections by local authority (2020 to 2035)

Population projections by local authority (2020 to 2035)

Population of (geography)	2020	2025	2030	2035
Eastbourne	103,324	104,834	106,324	107,459
Hastings	92,554	93,992	96,001	97,508
Lewes	103,525	106,405	110,891	114,725
Rother	96,716	99,338	104,741	108,828
Wealden	162,733	170,973	187,294	199,148
East Sussex	558,852	575,544	605,250	627,667

Source: East Sussex in Figures (Population projections by age and sex (dwelling-led), 2020-2035 – districts)

20 year change

Figure 2.4 shows the change in population for different age groups over the two decades between the 2001 Census and 2021. Figure 2.5 shows the same over the last decade since 2011. While the trends are mixed over the last 20 years, since 2011 there has been a significant decrease of 8,000 or 5% of residents aged between 15 and 44. 

While some of this change has resulted from aging (e.g. those in the 45-64 age group in 2001 moved into the over 65s group in 2021), the number of people in East Sussex within the 25-44 age group has decreased from a high of 120,000 in 2001, to 117,000 in 2011 and then to 115,000 in 2021 (a 4.3% decrease). Only the district of Eastbourne has seen an increase in people aged between 25-44 since 2001 (23,000 compared to 24,000 in 2021).  

Figure 2.4: 20 year population change by age (2001 and 2021)

20 year population change by age (2001 and 2021)

Age group	Eastbourne	Hastings	Lewes	Rother	Wealden
Under 15	6%	-9%	-4%	-6%	-2%
15-24	8%	-1%	5%	11%	17%
25-44	4%	-2%	-8%	-8%	-7%
45-64	32%	35%	17%	15%	21%
Over 65	13%	20%	27%	24%	43%

Source: East Sussex in Figures (Population by age and sex, 2001-2021 – districts)

Figure 2.5 shows that the number of children aged between 0 and 14 years in East Sussex has fallen from 87,100 in 2001 to 84,900 in 2011 and further again to 84,300 in 2021 (a 3.2% reduction). Eastbourne has gone against this trend with 15,100 under 15s in 2001, 15,600 in 2011 and 16,000 in 2021 (a 6% increase). 

Figure 2.5: 10 year population change by age (2011 and 2021)

10 year population change by age (2011 and 2021)

Age group	Eastbourne	Hastings	Lewes	Rother	Wealden
Under 15	3%	-2%	-1%	-4%	0%
15-24	-15%	-20%	-9%	-7%	-2%
25-44	-3%	-3%	-5%	-1%	2%
45-64	7%	5%	1%	-2%	5%
Over 65	12%	19%	20%	17%	+24%

Source: East Sussex in Figures (Population by age and sex, 2001-2021 – districts)

Figure 2.6 shows an expected population increase of 12% by 2035 by  age group., As this projection was undertaken before its release,  2021 Census data was not taken into account. 

These projections show that: 

• The population of those aged between 0 and 17 years of age are expected to increase by only 1% between 2020 and 2035. 
• Those aged over 65 are projected to increase from around 146,100 in 2020 to 202,100 in 2035, an increase of 38%. 
• Wealden would see the largest increase in the number of people aged over 65, increasing from approximately 42,680 in 2020 to 62,600 in 2035, (47% increase). 
• Wealden is also expected to see the largest increase in those aged 0-17 with 13.5% increase expected by 2035, and those aged 18 to 64 (13.8% increase). 
• Those aged 0-17 in Eastbourne are expected to decrease by 11% from approximately 19,900 to just over 17,800 by 2035.
• The implications of this ageing population include ensuring there are viable alternative transport options for those who are unable to drive, and amenities such as healthcare centres, care homes and other vital services that can be accessed by a range of transport (including non-car) modes.

Population projection by age group (2020 to 2035)

Population projection by age group (2020 to 2035)

Age group	Eastbourne	Hastings	Lewes	Rother	Wealden
0-17	-11%	-8%	1%	3%	14%
18-64	-5%	-1%	3%	2%	14%
Over 65	34%	37%	34%	35%	47%

Source: East Sussex in Figures (Population by age and sex (dwelling-led), 2020-2035 – districts)

Ethnicity 

In the 2021 Census the majority of people in East Sussex (94%) identified as white – 13% more than the average for England (Figure 2.7). This identification was highest in Wealden where 96% of residents identified as white. 

Ethnicity by district

Ethnicity by district

Geography	White	Asian or Asian British	Black or Black British	Mixed	Other
Eastbourne	91%	3%	1%	3%	2%
Hastings	91%	3%	1%	3%	2%
Lewes	94%	2%	1%	2%	1%
Rother	96%	1%	1%	2%	1%
Wealden	96%	1%	<1%	2%	<1%
East Sussex	94%	2%	1%	2%	1%
South East	86%	7%	2%	3%	1%
England	81%	10%	4%	3%	2%

Source: East Sussex in Figures

Across East Sussex 2% identified as being of principally an Asian ethnic background, compared to the average of 10% for England and Wales. Similarly, just 1% identified as Black in East Sussex compared to the average of 4% for England and Wales. Figure 2.8 shows how, excluding those who identify as white, Asian is the largest minority ethnic identification in East Sussex (1-3% of borough and district residents). Across the whole of East Sussex 2% of residents identify as Asian or Asian British compared to the average of 7% of residents on the South East and 10% in England. 

Ethnicity by district (excluding white)

Ethnicity by district (Excluding White)

Geography	Asian or Asian British	Black or Black British	Mixed	Other
Eastbourne	3%	1%	3%	2%
Hastings	3%	1%	3%	2%
Lewes	2%	1%	2%	1%
Rother	1%	1%	2%	1%
Wealden	1%	<1%	2%	<1%
East Sussex	2%	1%	2%	1%
South East	7%	2%	3%	1%
England	10%	4%	3%	2%

Source: East Sussex in Figures 

Employment and Earnings 

The number of East Sussex residents who are in employment (either in East Sussex or elsewhere) has increased by almost 10,000 since 2010 from 176,000 employees to 184,000 by 2020. 

Most people employed in East Sussex are full-time private sector employees, with this number increasing by 3% between 2010 and 2020. Conversely, the number of people employed in the public sector has decreased, with 3,200 fewer staff in public sector employment in 2020 compared to 2010 (Table 2.1). 

The largest sectors in East Sussex in 2020 in terms of numbers employed were public administration, education and health where 60,000 people were employed (a decrease of 2,000 (-3%) compared  2015) and Wholesale and retail trade where 30,000 people were employed (a decrease of 3,000 (9%) compared to 2015) (Figure 2.9). 

Table 2.1 Employment by full-time and part-time employees

Employment type / Year	2010	2020
Full time employees	104,000	112,000
Part time employees	64,000	65,000
Total public sector employees	37,000 (22%)	34,000 (19%)
Total private sector employees	131,000 (78%)	144,000 (81%)
Total employees	168,900 (100%)	178,000 (100%)
Total public sector employment	37,000 (21%)	34,000 (18%)
Total private sector employment	139,000 (79%)	151,000 (82%)
Total employment	176,000 (100%)	184,000 (100%)

Source: East Sussex in Figures 

Figure 2.9: employment by industry

Employment by Industry

Industry / Geography	East Sussex	England
Ag, fishing, mining, utilities	4%	3%
Manufacturing	6%	8%
Construction	7%	5%
Wholesale, retail trade, motors	16%	15%
Transportation and storage	3%	5%
Accom and food	9%	7%
Information and communication	3%	5%
Financial, ins and real estate	4%	5%
Prof, sci, and tech	7%	9%
Admin and Support	5%	9%
Public admin, education and health	32%	26%
Arts, entertainment and recreation	3%	2%
Other service activities	3%	2%

Source: East Sussex in Figures 

Arts, entertainment and recreation saw an increase in employment between 2015 and 2020, although this only amounts to an increase from 5,000 to 6,000 people (as the underlying datasets are rounded to the nearest 1,000, this could be a small change or up to a 20% increase). Construction as well as agriculture, fishing, mining and utilities also saw double-digit growth with the number of people employed in each industry increasing by 18% and 17% respectively (Figure 2.10).  

Eastbourne, and Hastings, saw growth in agriculture, fishing, mining and utilities although the number of people employed in the sector was still low at 300 people. Lewes district saw growth in the number of people employed in arts, entertainment and recreation, increasing from 900 people to 1,250. 

In terms of the location of jobs, Figure 2.12 shows the jobs density (ratio of the number of jobs in each district and borough to the resident working-age population of that area) in 2020. Both Eastbourne and Lewes district have a higher jobs density suggesting there is a higher proportion of jobs available in these districts; Wealden, Rother and Hastings have a lower proportion of jobs for every working age resident.

Figure 2.10: employment change by industry (2015-2020)

Employment Change by Industry (2015-2020)

Industry / Geography	East Sussex	England
Ag, fishing, mining, utilities	17%	10%
Manufacturing	0%	-2%
Construction	18%	9%
Wholesale, retail trade, motors	-9%	-2%
Transportation and storage	0%	14%
Accom and food	-11%	3%
Information and communication	0%	8%
Financial, ins and real estate	0%	4%
Prof, sci, and tech	8%	6%
Admin and Support	0%	-1%
Public admin, education and health	-3%	4%
Arts, entertainment and recreation	20%	-1%
Other service activities	0%	-6%

Source: East Sussex in Figures

This economic disparity is reflected in the relatively poor earnings levels of the county. Gross weekly earnings are lower in East Sussex compared to the South East and England (Figure 2.11). Women also continue to earn less than equivalent men. 

Figure 2.11: 2021 Gross Weekly Earnings (residence-based median)

Gross Weekly Earnings (Residence Based Median)

Geography / Sex	All people	Females	Males
Eastbourne	£445	£395	£502
Hastings	£474	£436	£512
Lewes	£553	£483	£669
Rother	£455	£314	£549
Wealden	£487	£380	£603
East Sussex	£479	£400	£566
South East	£543	£445	£651
England	£509	£421	£601

Source: East Sussex in Figures 

Figure 2.12: 2020 East Sussex jobs density

Source: East Sussex in Figures 

Travel to Work Mode Share

More people use cars and vans than any other mode of transport in East Sussex, with 60% of people commuting to work using this mode – slightly higher than England and Wales (Figure 2.13). After using a car or van, most trips were made on foot in East Sussex (12%), with the highest proportion of people commuting to work on foot in Hastings (16%).  

A higher proportion of people worked mainly from home in East Sussex (8%) than in England and Wales (5.4%) with levels highest in Wealden and Rother; only Hastings has fewer people working from home compared to England and Wales. More people work from home in East Sussex than use all forms of public transport.  

The pandemic has changed travel and work patterns, however any change in long term trends will take some time to become clear. In the shorter term, working from home remains more common in many sectors where it is an option. Such uncertainty of trends will need to be factored into decisions made based on this evidence base. 

The 2021 Census, whilst available, was undertaken during a period of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and at least a fifth of all residents across all five of East Sussex’s districts and boroughs worked mainly at or from home. 

Figure 2.13: travel to work mode share in 2011

Travel to Work Mode Share in 2011

Geography	Work at Home	Public Transport	Car, Van, Taxi, Motorcycle	Active travel	Other
Eastbourne	5%	12%	65%	18%	1%
Hastings	6%	12%	64%	17%	1%
Lewes	8%	16%	63%	13%	1%
Rother	10%	9%	69%	12%	1%
Wealden	10%	9%	71%	9%	0%
East Sussex	8%	11%	67%	13%	1%
England and Wales	6%	16%	64%	14%	1%

Source: East Sussex in Figures 

Existing Public Transport Network 

The public transport network in East Sussex is presented in Figure 2.14. Rail transports high volumes of travellers from the south coast to London as well as to Gatwick Airport, one of the busiest international airports in the country. 

Stations are provided in many East Sussex towns, with settlements on the south coast also benefitting from having access to additional local stations (e.g. Hampden Park in Eastbourne). However, some large towns such as Heathfield and Hailsham do not have a station and so are more likely to be reliant on the bus service or travelling by private car.  

In terms of bus routes, there are inter-urban corridors that connect major towns together alongside routes that serve urban areas and their surrounding hinterlands. Although the bus network is relatively extensive bus passenger journeys have continued to decrease over a 10 year period from 2008-09 to 2018-19 .  

Rural bus services tend to be less frequent and or on-demand, with a number of services provided by community bus operators that have lower overheads than larger companies. Figure 2.15 shows the bus network and frequencies  on a Wednesday AM peak across East Sussex with locations served and route frequencies.. 

Some communities in East Sussex are not served by rail (e.g. Heathfield) or bus (e.g. Ripe) and these areas can be considered disconnected from other settlements by public transport. Key elements of the East Sussex public transport network include: 

• 38 national rail stations 
• 3,264 bus stops 
• 766 with shelters 
• 833 with seating 
• 1,673 with timetable information (printed) 
• 142 with real time passenger information screens 
• 510 with raised kerbs 

Figure 2.14: existing transport network

Source: Ordnance Survey

Figure 2.15: bus frequency (Wednesday AM Peak 07:00-09:00)

Source: Bus Service Improvement Plan

Bus Passenger Journeys 

Passenger numbers in East Sussex decreased from 19 million in 2009/10 to 16 million in 2018/19 reflecting the declining national trend. Over this period many local transport authorities reduced their funding for supported bus services, with the decline in passenger numbers in East Sussex occurring earlier than the decline for other county councils in the South East (source: Bus Service Improvement Plan).

Figure 2.16 shows bus patronage levels, and how the decline was slower prior to the pandemic. 

Bus patronage decline may also be influenced by increasing fares, reduced services and unreliability of services that impact the relative attractiveness of buses compared with online shopping and home working. 

Figure 2.16: bus passenger journeys

Bus Passenger Journeys

Years	Passenger Journeys
2009/10	18,893,636
2010/11	20,670,896
2011/12	20,797,486
2012/13	21,301,915
2013/14	22,526,659
2014/15	21,869,810
2015/16	20,530,986
2016/17	17,125,000
2017/18	16,419,741
2018/19	16,272,866
2019/20	15,025,860
2020/21	6,155,700

Source: Department for Transport

Railway Station Entries and Exits

There are 38 national railway stations in East Sussex. Entries and exit figures at East Sussex stations had been increasing gradually, reaching a high of 18.4 million entry and exits in 2019-2020 (Office of Road and Rail). However, the number of entries and exits decreased to 5.6 million in 2020-21 due to the pandemic and the consequent restrictions on movements and use of services. The 2021-22 figures show that across East Sussex there is partial recovery in rail demand. 

Key observations from the 2019-20 peak include: 

• Eastbourne was the busiest station in the county with over 3.6 million entry and exits and 61,000 interchanges, 
• Lewes had the second highest number of entries and exits (2.6 million) and the greatest number of interchanges (508,000), 
• Hastings had 2.4 million entries and exits and 65,000 Interchanges), and 
• Bexhill and Polegate also experienced 1.5 million and 1 million entries and exits respectively. 

There are 12 stations in East Sussex with entry and exit figures are below 100,000 per annum (Berwick (Sussex), Bishopstone (Sussex), Cooksbridge, Crowhurst, Doleham, Glynde, Newhaven Harbour, Normans Bay, Pevensey Bay, Southease, Three Oaks and Winchelsea).  

While largely serving rural communities, these stations provide an important function in helping passengers access goods and services, via rail, that they may not otherwise be able. 

Figure 2.17: station entries and exits 2011-2021 - Eastbourne Borough

Station Entries and Exits 2011-2021 - Eastbourne

Year / Station	Eastbourne	Hampden Park
2011-12	3,594,556	579,128
2012-13	3,588,880	573,636
2013-14	3,693,060	583,358
2014-15	3,752,734	593,630
2015-16	3,754,050	599,996
2016-17	3,194,804	505,974
2017-18	3,355,246	542,888
2018-19	3,580,630	633,538
2019-20	3,604,628	671,586
2020-21	1,187,660	306,050
2021-22	2,696,318	625,862

Figure 2.18: station entries and exits 2011-2021 - Hastings borough

Station Entries and Exits 2011-2021 - Hastings

Year / Station	Hastings	Ore	St Leonards Warrior Square	West St Leonards
2011-12	2,013,242	112,460	665,634	81,248
2012-13	2,019,092	130,782	655,498	76,864
2013-14	2,068,656	151,884	677,138	77,382
2014-15	2,247,572	174,264	734,358	107,008
2015-16	2,314,280	194,568	759,176	115,534
2016-17	2,030,706	144,410	650,712	107,732
2017-18	2,171,870	173,896	740,926	116,422
2018-19	2,382,998	240,652	820,252	123,528
2019-20	2,413,544	277,174	823,284	117,002
2020-21	724,888	78,634	285,146	34,536
2021-22	1,690,878	208,038	710,690	102,130

Station 2.19: station entries and exits 2011-2021 - Lewes District

Station Entries and Exits 2011-2021 - Lewes (Table 1 of 2 (stations A-M))

Year / Station	Bishopsgate (Sussex)	Cooksbridge	Glynde	Lewes
2011-12	34,558	39,198	65,576	2,747,894
2012-13	31,852	44,232	67,186	2,692,228
2013-14	30,876	44,310	73,798	2,748,555
2014-15	30,934	46,530	74,542	2,663,508
2015-16	28,982	45,374	77,738	2,614,394
2016-17	20,320	37,058	60,998	2,242,370
2017-18	33,686	39,044	63,620	2,477,690
2018-19	39,422	40,912	68,436	2,579,928
2019-20	41,660	42,858	72,958	2,606,920
2020-21	15,878	21,152	20,492	766,902
2021-22	36,450	47,552	51,232	1,875,724

Station Entries and Exits 2011-2021 - Lewes (Table 2 of 2 (stations N-Z))

Year / Station	Newhaven Harbour	Newhaven Town	Plumpton	Seaford (Sussex)	Southease
2011-12	44,842	318,812	136,680	777,108	13,816
2012-13	44,212	318,664	138,116	761,888	11,634
2013-14	46,178	306,102	132,866	790,062	18,042
2014-15	50,878	320,388	137,566	797,914	20,662
2015-16	55,070	326,310	145,666	767,482	17,966
2016-17	52,342	236,416	108,922	539,322	13,184
2017-18	57,982	280,712	108,752	627,538	18,162
2018-19	53,266	307,638	113,150	676,442	22,008
2019-20	49,450	342,606	115,690	673,764	22,052
2020-21	14,020	123,406	26,358	205,142	10,302
2021-22	18,298	283,664	76,140	474,382	23,564

Figure 2.20: station entries and exits 2011-2021 - Rother District

Station Entries and Exits 2011-2021 - Rother (Table 1 of 3 (stations A-C))

Year / Station	Battle	Bexhill	Collington	Cooden Beach	Crowhurst
2011-12	431,408	1,648,316	180,984	121,568	33,368
2012-13	464,970	1,622,548	204,392	121,900	39,302
2013-14	456,658	1,577,690	220,436	118,060	36,268
2014-15	532,640	1,509,550	225,214	126,478	43,616
2015-16	556,020	1,524,654	223,718	122,668	44,612
2016-17	559,896	1,207,046	149,412	85,186	45,476
2017-18	539,474	1,327,850	168,370	90,694	48,736
2018-19	559,164	1,448,466	191,418	108,300	47,864
2019-20	527,210	1,502,382	208,058	109,526	46,586
2020-21	102,550	581,730	47,356	30,732	12,112
2021-22	340,786	1,297,516	114,882	85,266	30,520

Station Entries and Exits 2011-2021 - Rother (Table 2 of 3 (stations D-R))

Year / Station	Doleham	Etchingham	Normans Bay	Robertsbridge	Rye (Sussex)
2011-12	38,666	225,232	11,654	255,466	376,376
2012-13	28,102	218,552	9,824	267,276	392,730
2013-14	8,166	214,098	10,614	296,648	427,100
2014-15	6,650	228,998	11,426	311,744	437,986
2015-16	6,496	243,936	11,536	297,756	458,850
2016-17	4,768	257,944	8,160	309,228	403,652
2017-18	3,422	246,666	10,616	313,984	430,860
2018-19	2,842	255,324	13,512	320,640	480,322
2019-20	3,074	244,416	15,236	301,514	474,036
2020-21	120	43,894	7,032	75,452	152,844
2021-22	848	136,854	17,126	214,300	399,364

Station Entries and Exits 2011-2021 - Rother (Table 3 of 3 (stations S-Z))

Year / Station	Stonegate	Three Oaks	Winchelsea
2011-12	145,684	6,088	4,878
2012-13	137,920	5,438	6,798
2013-14	140,872	6,912	6,640
2014-15	146,626	8,462	6,846
2015-16	160,316	9,604	7,598
2016-17	176,804	6,648	7,578
2017-18	180,222	8,096	9,254
2018-19	186,888	11,534	9,048
2019-20	175,838	12,672	9,688
2020-21	29,224	3,914	3,448
2021-22	93,064	8,952	9,322

Figure 2.21: station entries and exits 2011-2021 - Wealden District

Station Entries and Exits 2011-2021 - Wealden (Table 1 of 2 (stations A-M))

Year / Station	Berwick (Sussex)	Buxted	Crowborough	Eridge	Frant
2011-12	76,872	168,100	402,308	137,734	120,580
2012-13	77,914	175,624	406,254	135,918	111,064
2013-14	78,126	161,777	411,360	135,912	111,856
2014-15	77,346	150,310	399,962	135,116	124,670
2015-16	84,254	133,062	388,762	125,176	126,444
2016-17	69,722	114,176	334,852	117,694	135,828
2017-18	78,494	116,338	355,642	121,798	139,768
2018-19	78,310	125,672	358,082	117,648	147,050
2019-20	79,442	158,546	376,424	129,726	137,888
2020-21	24,508	21,704	56,362	15,882	25,556
2021-22	67,324	68,978	165,884	50,544	71,466

Station Entries and Exits 2011-2021 - Rother (Table 1 of 2 (stations N-Z))

Year / Station	Pevensey and Westham	Pevensey Bay	Polegate	Uckfield	Wadhurst
2011-12	161,800	3,634	942,448	445,202	403,854
2012-13	150,510	5,214	974,850	538,168	405,074
2013-14	155,600	6,838	994,289	546,690	392,522
2014-15	165,128	25,464	1,027,230	552,364	389,848
2015-16	163,996	14,742	1,027,182	480,624	403,354
2016-17	124,246	7,246	850,722	441,624	419,424
2017-18	141,476	7,414	908,266	451,286	397,214
2018-19	163,808	9,270	972,908	471,646	414,994
2019-20	172,144	9,132	1,020,262	387,252	395,342
2020-21	55,748	4,430	333,680	48,824	71,958
2021-22	142,574	6,700	785,094	158,916	241,596

Source for station entries and exits (all stations): Office of Road and Rail

Pedestrian and Cycling Networks

East Sussex has an extensive Public Rights of Way (PRoW) network and several National Cycle Network (NCN) routes within the county (Figure 2.22).  

The PRoW network extends for a combined distance of around 2,000 miles. Managing these routes will help ensure that key destinations of employment and leisure are more easily accessible by walking, cycling and horse riding. 

In terms of cycle routes, NCN route 21 extends from Greenwich, out of London to Eastbourne, providing a north-south connection across East Sussex. Using the ferry link between Newhaven and Dieppe, this then provides a continued cycle connection as part of Avenue Verte to Paris.

NCN route 2 extends along the south coast and connects coastal communities between Peacehaven and Camber, with continued links west to Cornwall and east to Dover.  

There are also several other key cycle routes through and within East Sussex providing connections between different towns and cities. As with most such networks across the UK, further work is needed to provide continuous/segregated and well signed routes that allow people of all abilities to feel comfortable using them for leisure and commuting purposes.  

The NCN routes are also supplemented by bridleways and byways open to all traffic (BOATs) which allow access for cycles. These routes can be important links in the cycle network, providing off-carriageway routes between settlements; however, they are not extensive, and the terrain and condition of such routes can vary and are not suitable for cyclists of all levels of ability. 

Figure 2.22: walking and cycling networks

Sources: East Sussex County Council (via arcgis) and Sustrans

Road Network and Condition 

East Sussex has 3,375km of roads in the county (Figure 2.24) The main road network is characterised by A and B roads running north-south or east-west, and C and unclassified roads providing localised travel opportunities, and connectivity across the border into Brighton, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex and beyond. 

Local highway authorities are responsible for maintaining, managing and, where necessary, improving their network which is comprised of major ‘A’ roads, as well as local classified and unclassified roads.  Major ‘A’ roads in the county include the A26 linking Lewes to Tunbridge Wells via Uckfield and Crowborough; the A22 linking East Grinstead, Uckfield, Hailsham and Eastbourne, and the A259 linking Brighton, Peacehaven, Newhaven, Seaford and Eastbourne.  

National Highways are responsible for the maintenance and management of the Strategic Road Network. In East Sussex, this includes the A21 (north of Hastings to north of Flimwell), the A27/A259 (Falmer to Glyne Gap and Batchelors Bump to East Guldeford) and the A26 (Beddingham to Newhaven).. 

Figure 2.23 shows the percentage of roads where maintenance should be considered across East Sussex. Although there was a slight increase in 2019-20, the general trend suggests that road maintenance programmes across East Sussex are working.  

However, it should also be noted that there is variation by road type and in 2019-20, there was a significantly higher proportion of unclassified roads requiring maintenance (14%) compared to principal and non-principal roads (5%). This therefore indicates that more work needs to be done to improve the condition of local roads, although this may be difficult against a backdrop of local government spending cuts.

Figure 2.23: road maintenance

Road Maintenance

Year	Unclassified	Non-principal (LA maintained 'B' and 'C' roads	Principal (LA maintained 'A' Roads)
2007/08	12%	15%	14%
2008/09	9%	13%	13%
2009/10	11%	10%	10%
2010/11	15%	10%	10%
2011/12	19%	13%	10%
2012/13	19%	10%	8%
2013/14	25%	9%	7%
2014/15	22%	9%	5%
2015/16	22%	6%	5%
2016/17	19%	6%	5%
2017/18	14%	7%	4%
2018/19	9%	7%	5%
2019/20	14%	5%	5%

Figure 2.24: East Sussex main road network

Source: Ordnance Survey

Ports and airports 

Newhaven is a major port in East Sussex, facilitating movement of 986 tonnes of freight in 2021.27 This is lower than the 1,885 peak of the late 1980s. The port also provides an international ferry link to Dieppe in France.  

The port is served by the Newhaven Harbour Railway Station. The A26 from the A27 at Beddingham near Lewes provides strategic highway connectivity to Newhaven and its port.

Figure 2.25: Newhaven port traffic by tonnage (1982-2021)

Newhaven Port Traffic by Tonnage (1982-2021)

Year	Inwards	Outwards
1982	918.212	146.259
1983	1155.798	172.214
1984	1305.328	275.457
1985	1309.879	297.782
1986	1484.18	337.968
1987	1477.656	316.044
1988	1666.322	396.116
1989	1884.849	423.554
1990	1596.841	367.393
1991	962.743	228.378
1992	779.401	57.824
1993	1040.49	146.46
1994	889.594	326.451
1995	622.356	367
1996	953.802	370.923
1997	891.404	349.927
1998	594.694	417.613
1999	404.913	56.24
2000	505.39	72.985
2001	619.57	378.03
2002	657.017	205.605
2003	791.792	157.619
2004	674.792	254.277
2005	604.878	271.457
2006	650.204	395.31
2007	683.689	319.3
2008	850.1	345.4
2009	553.855	307.557
2010	463.561	359.954
2011	352.23	401.68
2012	459.184	333.631
2013	369.096	336.99
2014	361.999	336.865
2015	477.704	385.802
2016	414.194	389.189
2017	366.883	339.978
2018	376.838	311.937
2019	519.019	259.464
2020	608.16	256.855
2021	837.821	148.423

Source: Department for Transport (Table PORT0101: All UK major and minor port freight tonnage traffic, by port and year)

Gatwick Airport is 15km outside East Sussex to the north west of the county. Gatwick  has a single runway but is seeking to expand with a second runway by utilising its existing standby runway on a permanent basis for the departures of smaller aircraft.  

Over 1,000 East Sussex residents worked at Gatwick in 2015. Wealden, Lewes, and Eastbourne are the East Sussex local authorities with the greatest share of residents directly employed at Gatwick (Figure 2.26), given their proximity and good rail links to the airport. These areas are also expected to see an increase in residents working at Gatwick should the second runway be built.

Figure 2.26: Distribution of employment at Gatwick

Local authority	% Gatwick direct employment	No. of employees 2015	No. of additional employees from 2nd runway
Wealden	2.5%	525	1575
Lewes	1.8%	378	1134
Eastbourne	1%	210	630

Source: East Sussex County Council (report to Cabinet) 

Figure 2.27: employment in Air Transport Industry

Source: Office for National Statistics (Residents employed by Industry (Air Transport), 2021 Census)

Tourism and culture 

With a range of locally and international significant tourism destinations such as the Seven Sisters Country Park, beaches, heritage sites and coastal towns, tourism and cultural industries are an important consideration in planning the future transport provision in East Sussex. 

The 2012-2023 county-wide Cultural Strategy set out three key priorities for East Sussex: 

1. Create an environment where great cultural experiences are available to everyone to enhance their quality of life. 
2. Create an environment which enables the cultural and creative economy to expand and enhances our ability to attract and retain other businesses. 
3. Develop and promote well packaged cultural tourism offers which celebrate the identity of East Sussex, raise its profile and attract more visitors and businesses to the County. 

The strategy noted that those who rely on public transport cannot easily access the County’s cultural offer, particularly young people. 

Culture East Sussex (CES) is a network of cultural organisations and individuals that is hosted by East Sussex County Council. It is part of Team East Sussex (TES), a federated board of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

The priorities of CES are linked to the East Sussex Cultural Strategy (2013-23) and CES will be a key stakeholder in the development of LTP4.  

Local Plans 

The district and borough councils in East Sussex (which include Lewes – Eastbourne, Wealden, Rother & Hastings)  are responsible for developing Local Plans in partnership with several key strategic partners, including ESCC. The plans set out the overall vision and objectives for development, including detailed planning policies, specific proposals for development and use of land (including housing and employment) and the numbers and therefore guide planning decisions.  

Apart from the South Downs National Park Association all the district and borough councils are in the process of reviewing their local plans. Therefore, ESCC will continue to work closely with the district and borough council in the development of the transport evidence base for local plans and to ensure alignment with the East Sussex LTP4. 

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3. Accessibility, equity and social exclusion

Transport is an important factor in accessibility, equity and social inclusion. A lack of travel choice means people are constrained in their ability to access the places they need and want to go by their preferred mode. Any exclusion is made worse when met with high transport costs and lower incomes (a compounding effect known as Transport Poverty).

This area must consider a wide range of transport needs such as accommodating those with clear mobility requirements (e.g. users in a wheelchair) through to less obvious factors such as the effects of dementia on the ability of someone to travel.

Relative Deprivation Profile

The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is the official measure of relative deprivation in England based on 39 separate indicators, organised across seven distinct domains of deprivation which are combined and weighted.

This is an overall measure of multiple deprivation experienced by people living in an area and is calculated for every Lower-layer Super Output Area (LSOA- which contains 1,000 -3,000 residents), or community, in England.

This analysis shows how in 2019:

• Hastings has 16 LSOAs in the 20% most deprived LSOAs in the UK, with 29% (25,000 people) in the most deprived decile. This is the highest number of the five districts.
• These LSOAs in Hastings, along with 4 LSOAs in Eastbourne and 2 in Rother fall within the most deprived decile nationally.
• 12 of Eastbourne’s 61 LSOAs are among the most deprived 20% in England, and 18 LSOAs (in Eastbourne rank among the most deprived 30% nationally.
• Six of Rother’s 58 LSAOs are among the most deprived 20% of LSOAs in England.
• Lewes reported no residents in the most deprived decile and only 3% in the second with 58% in the top 4 least deprived deciles.
• Wealden similarly only has 6% of residents in the 4 most deprived deciles and 52% in the top three least deprived.

East Sussex ranks as 93 out of 151 upper tier local authorities (County or Shire Councils) for the proportion of communities (or LSOAs) among the most deprived 10% in England (the most deprived decile).

Figure 3.1: deprivation profile by decile (most deprived to least deprived)

Deprivation Profile by Decile (Most Deprived To Least)

Decile 1 (Most  Deprived) 10 (Least Deprived)	Eastbourne	Hastings	Lewes	Rother	Wealden	East Sussex	England
1st Decile (most deprived)	7%	29%	0%	4%	0%	7%	10%
2nd	13%	14%	3%	7%	4%	7%	10%
3rd	10%	15%	11%	11%	0%	9%	10%
4th	20%	15%	8%	9%	3%	10%	10%
5th	10%	11%	8%	26%	8%	12%	10%
6th	17%	4%	17%	8%	19%	14%	10%
7th	2%	10%	15%	14%	15%	11%	10%
8th	11%	2%	23%	12%	20%	15%	10%
9th	7%	0%	6%	9%	18%	9%	10%
10th Decile (least deprived)	3%	0%	10%	0%	14%	6%	10%

Figure 3.2: index of Multiple Deprivation 2019

Source for deprivation data: Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

Disabilities and Impairments

The likelihood of being disabled and/or experiencing multiple chronic and complex health conditions among those aged 65 years and over increases with age. As life expectancy increases, so does the amount of time spent in poor health (Office for National Statistics).

As noted earlier in Figure 2.5, the fastest growing age group in East Sussex over the last ten years is those aged 65 and over, with a decrease seen in those aged under 45 in almost all areas.

In 2020 there were around 97,000 people living in East Sussex with a disability, with rates per 100 people highest in Hastings (Figure 3.3). ESCC forecasts show that by 2035, there will be 122,400 people with a disability in East Sussex, an increase of 25,800 (from 2020) and will mean that 20% of the county’s population will have a disability (compared with 17% in 2020).

24,000 Blue Badges have currently been issued in East Sussex, with this representing 4.5% of the county’s population (Department for Transportation).

Figure 3.3: disability and impairment projections

Disability and impairment projections

Geography / Year	2020	2025	2030	2035
Eastbourne	20	21	22	23
Hastings	21	22	23	24
Lewes	18	19	20	21
Rother	21	22	23	23
Wealden	17	18	18	19
East Sussex	19	20	21	22

Source: East Sussex in Figures

Access and Accessibility

In the most recent Rural Urban Classification, East Sussex is classified as “urban with significant rural”. This classification acknowledges that most of our residents live in urban areas and that we have significant rural areas across our geography. For those who live outside of the urban areas their comparative isolation and car dependency can mean limited access to destinations. The combination of the distance from larger villages or towns and the lack of regular reliable bus services means that accessibility to jobs, services and leisure can be reduced in these rural areas.

Figure 3.4 shows how the average journey time to key services based on Department for Transport Journey Time Statistics method, which measures access to:

• employment centres (small, medium and large)
• primary schools
• secondary schools
• further education
• GPs
• hospitals
• food stores
• town centres

In contrast Figure 3.5 shows the same journeys made by a combination of walking and public transport (PT), with the area between Heathfield and Battle having the least transport connectivity without a car.

Figure 3.6 shows the difference between journeys to key services made by car and those taken with a combination of public transport and walking. This shows that large areas of East Sussex have limited, public transport access to key services.

Six of the 38 railway stations in East Sussex have an accessibility rating of A meaning they have step free access, impaired mobility set down spaces and offer wheelchairs to users who need them. Figure 3.7 shows how these are distributed throughout the country, with stations at the lowest accessibility rating of C presenting the greatest barrier for potential users to choose the rail option even where services are available.

Figure 3.4: average journey times to key services by car

Figure 3.5: average journey times to key services by walking and public transport

Figure 3.6: difference in journey times to access to key services (car vs walking and public transport)

Source for journey times: Department for Transport

Figure 3.7: railway station accessibility

Source: National Rail

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4. Safety, health and air quality

Transport has a significant impact on safety in our communities and affects the health of individuals through emissions affecting air quality.

The design of our transport network can contribute to poor health outcomes. For example, the health risks of being overweight and obese can be made worse through an absence of options to walk or cycle resulting in reduced physical activity.

Similarly, increasing physical activity through active travel has both physical and mental health benefits, including for the prevention and management of long-term conditions. This is especially true for children where incidental physical activity can be critical, but also applies to adults or all ages and abilities.

Public Health

The proportion of people in East Sussex who consider themselves to have ‘Very Good Health’ (43.8%) is less than the average across England and Wales (47.1%). However, a higher proportion of people in East Sussex have either ‘Good Health’ or ‘Fair Health’ (Figure 4.1).

Figure 4.1: general health by district 2011

General Health by District

Geography	Very good health	Good health	Fair health	Bad health	Very bad health
Eastbourne	43%	35%	15%	%	1%
Hastings	41%	36%	16%	6%	2%
Lewes	45%	36%	14%	4%	1%
Rother	41%	37%	17%	5%	1%
Wealden	48%	35%	13%	4%	1%
East Sussex	44%	36%	15%	5%	1%
England and Wales	47%	34%	13%	4%	1%

Source: East Sussex in Figures

1,600 people living in Hastings have ‘Very Bad Health’ (1.7%), greater than all other districts and higher than the average for England and Wales (1.3%). Conversely, Wealden has the lowest proportion of people with ‘Very Bad Health’ (1%) - below the average for England and Wales.

Figure 4.2: general health by district (fair, bad and very bad only) 2011

General Health by District (Fair, Bad and Very Bad Only)

Geography	Fair health	Bad health	Very bad health
Eastbourne	15%	5%	1%
Hastings	16%	6%	2%
Lewes	14%	4%	1%
Rother	17%	5%	1%
Wealden	13.0%	4%	1%
East Sussex	15%	5%	1%
England and Wales	13%	4%	1%

Source: East Sussex in Figures

Obesity

In East Sussex, 65% of adults are classified as being overweight or obese, slightly above the national average of 64% (Figure 4.3). The district of Wealden has the highest proportion of people who are classified as being overweight or obese at 69%.

Figure 4.3: percentage of adults classified as overweight or obese

Percentage of Adults Classified As Overweight Or Obese

Geography	Percentage
Eastbourne	61%
Hastings	64%
Lewes	62%
Rother	67%
Wealden	69%
East Sussex	65%
England	64%

Source: Office for Health improvements and Disparities

Figure 4.4 shows how obesity in children across East Sussex in 2020 was below the average for England (9.2% compared to 9.7% for Reception aged children (4 to 5 years of age)). The same applies for Year 6 students (10 to 11 years of age) with 16.5% in East Sussex compared to 20.4% in England.

Obesity in Reception aged children is higher in Eastbourne and Hastings with both at 10.8%, but it is lower than the England average for Year 6 students at 17.8% and 19.1% respectively. 

Figure 4.4: percentage of children classified as obese (2020)

Percentage of Children Classified As Overweight Or Obese

Geography	Prevalence of obesity in Reception	Prevalence of obesity for Year 6 children
Eastbourne	11%	18%
Hastings	11%	19%
Lewes	8%	16%
Rother	9%	16%
Wealden	8%	14%
East Sussex	9%	17%
England and Wales	10%	20%

Source: Office for Health improvements and Disparities

Participation in Walking and Cycling

Encouraging greater amounts of active travel (in place of vehicle travel) can help reduce emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Particulate matter (PM), and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) which helps to both tackle climate change and improve air quality. Moreover, walking and cycling can contribute towards economic performance by reducing congestion , improving health & wellbeing and, in some cases, supporting local businesses through increased local spending.

Based on the proportion of people walking or cycling at least three times a week, East Sussex is more active than the average across England (Figure 4.5 and Figure 4.6). Most adults (79%) in East Sussex walk continuously for at least 10 minutes at least once per month (Figure 4.5), with this figure staying more or less similar over the previous six years and is slightly above the national England average of 77%.

In 2020 the East Sussex Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) set out an ambitious network of additional cycling and walking routes and measures integrated with existing cycling and walking infrastructure. This seeks to capitalise on the multiple benefits available when more residents have the choice to walk or cycle for more of their journeys.

“The benefits associated with more people walking and cycling are evident. We know that it can improve our physical and mental health and wellbeing, and that it can help to reduce the number of people using vehicles, thereby reducing emissions from exhaust fumes and benefiting the environment. We must also not underestimate the importance that active travel will have in supporting the recovery of the economy. It will achieve this by improving connections for people to access education, training and employment opportunities, alongside creating a healthy more reliable workforce, with individuals benefiting from financial savings arising from not having a need for vehicular travel, as well as supporting future clean growth in housing and employment” (East Sussex Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan)

Figure 4.5: proportion of people walking 2015-2021

Proportion of People Walking

Geography	At least 5 times per week	At least 3 times per week	At least once per week	At least once per month
Eastbourne	37	49	73	78
Hastings	37	49	72	79
Lewes	36	49	75	81
Rother	34	44	73	79
Wealden	33	43	72	79
East Sussex	35	46	73	79
England	31	43	70	77

Figure 4.6: proportion of people cycling 2015-2021

Proportion of People Cycling

Geography	At least 5 times per week	At least 3 times per week	At least once per week	At least once per month
Eastbourne	37	49	73	78
Hastings	37	49	72	79
Lewes	36	49	75	81
Rother	34	44	73	79
Wealden	33	43	72	79
East Sussex	35	46	73	79
England	31	43	70	77

Source for proportion of people cycling and walking: Department for Transport (Tables CW0302 and CW0303)

Trends show that the proportion of adults who walk at least three times per week has increased from 43% in 2016 to 46% which is above the national average (43%). Similarly, the number of adults in East Sussex who walk at least five times per week as also increased from 33% in 2016 to 35% in 2021, slightly above the national average of 31%.

The proportion of adults who cycled for any purpose in 2021 and the proportion of adults in East Sussex who say they cycle has decreased across all frequencies. Although, the number of adults in East Sussex who say they cycle at least once per month increased slightly in 2017 to 15%, the proportion of adults cycling at least once per month decreased to 10% in 2021, below the national average of 13%. Includes cycle rides of any length for leisure, or for travel. Includes some recreational types of cycling such as mountain biking, track cycling, and cyclo-cross. Excludes exercise bikes and cycling indoors.

The number of adults who say they cycled once per week has decreased from 9% in 2016 to 6% in 2021. Only 1% of adults say they cycle at least five times per week compared to 2% in 2016, below the national average of 2.1%.

Figure 4.6 shows how, at a district level, Lewes has the greatest number of adults who say they cycle at least once per month (15%), but this is still below the national average. Lewes also has the greatest number of adults who say they cycle at least five times per week (2%), slightly above the national average.

Collision Data

Road collision data for the period between 2015 to 2020 has been provided by the East Sussex County Council Road Safety Team (Table 4.1 and Table 4.2). The data for 2020 includes the Covid-19 restrictions on movement.

Between 2015 and 2019, East Sussex had on average over 1,850 casualties from 1,300 collisions, with fewer fatal collisions observed in 2019.

Between 2015 and 2019, there were 9,293 casualties reported from 6,657 accidents. Of these casualties, 1% were fatal, 19% serious and 80% slight.

The Road Safety Team also noted that collisions were evenly split between urban and rural areas, with cluster locations being those where a collisions involves a car. They indicated that crashes typically occur on dry road surfaces when weather conditions are fine, on the assumption of drivers taking less care and increased exposure (fewer drivers in wet and especially icy conditions). There is a trend in crashes occurring at peak times (again on account of exposure). Figure 4.7and Figure 4.8 show that that between 2015 and 2019 there was a downward trend in the numbers of road collisions before the reduction caused by the pandemic.

Table 4.1: road casualties by severity 2015-2020

Year/Severity	Fatal	Serious	Slight
2015	22	329	1,714
2016	24	358	1,500
2017	26	345	1,448
2018	21	334	1,369
2019	14	394	1,295
2020	17	278	1,036
Total	125	2,038	8,462

Table 4.2: road collisions by severity 2015-2020

Year/Severity	Fatal	Serious	Slight
2015	21	291	1,156
2016	23	313	1,038
2017	22	299	1,002
2018	21	303	936
2019	14	351	958
2020	17	245	728
Total	118	1,802	5,818

Figure 4.7: East Sussex traffic casualties by month (2015-2020)

Figure 4.8: East Sussex traffic accidents by month (2015-2020)

In comparison with the whole of England using Road Safety data provided by the Department for Transport, East Sussex has a higher percentage of fatal (East Sussex 2% and England 1%) and serious collisions (East Sussex 24% and England 18%) across the five years.

The number of collisions involving vulnerable road users including motorcycle users, pedestrians and cyclist also remained high (Figure 4.9). Many of the collisions involving pedestrians affected individuals younger than 15 and over the age of 46.

Figure 4.10, Figure 4.11, Figure 4.12, Figure 4.13 and Figure 4.14 provide a summary of collision data provided by the ESCC Road Safety team showing trends for those involving pedestrians, cyclists, motor vehicles, older people, and children. Each show a trend of reducing slight collisions with reductions in other categories except for older people and children. Both of these groups saw an increasing trend for serious collisions between 2015 and 2019 although both saw fatal collisions fall (albeit based on small absolute numbers). Whilst data for 2020 is included, we cannot draw firm conclusions on the 2020 data set due to the affects of the pandemic on travel and traffic.

Figure 4.9: collisions by age and vehicle type 2016-2019

Figure 4.10: collisions involving pedestrians (2015-2020)

Figure 4.11: collisions involving cyclists (2015-2020)

Figure 4.12: collisions involving motor vehicles (2015-2020)

Figure 4.13: collisions involving older people (2015-2020)

Figure 4.14: collisions involving children (2015-2020)

Air Quality and Noise Pollution

Poor air quality and high levels of noise affect in particular those most vulnerable - children and the elderly. Poor air quality and noise  pollution can discourage people shifting from private cars to walking and cycling, due to a greater exposure to air pollution, in turn decreasing the overall health and quality of life for East Sussex residents (Greater London Authority).

Higher levels of air pollution can be found in urban areas, particularly areas of Bexhill-on-Sea, Hastings, Newhaven, Peacehaven and Uckfield (Figure 4.15) Higher levels of NOx can also be found along major road corridors throughout East Sussex, connecting major towns together (National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory).

In the UK, local authorities are required to monitor air quality in their area to ensure levels of air pollution are minimised. If an area is not likely to achieve the national air quality objectives, measures must be put in place to improve current conditions.

East Sussex has two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs), both within Lewes district; Lewes town centre and the A259 Newhaven ring road and town centre (Figure 4.16). Both AQMAs have been declared due high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollutants.

The Sussex Air Quality Monitoring Network provides a central source of information on air pollution issues of a defined and robust quality and can be used with confidence by members of the public, researchers and local authority officers.

Noise pollution is also a key issue in areas around major highway routes and in some urban areas such as Eastbourne. It is estimated that the annual social cost of urban road noise in England is £7 to £10 billion (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

Based on the strategic noise maps produced under the Environmental Noise (England) Regulations, 2006, noise important areas are identified for roads and railways. Important areas (IAs) are hotspots where the highest 1% of noise levels occur in residential locations.

Figure 4.17 shows the extent of this issue compared to major routes such as the M20 between London and Dover. Highways in East Sussex with a particular need to consider the noise from vehicles include the A21, A22, and A27, and A259 (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

Figure 4.15: NOx emissions

Source: National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory

Figure 4.16: Air and Noise Quality Management

Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Figure 4.17: 24 hour annual average noise levels

Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Community and Sense of Place

Transport links are fundamental to maintaining and cultivating community ties. Services and local transport infrastructure such as railway stations and bus interchanges can also act as community hubs with a strong sense of place, becoming sources of local pride.

The East Sussex County Council Plan highlights the need to put people first when providing services and encourages communities and individuals to develop and maintain community ties and support systems.

Place shaping has an important role in ensuring the physical and mental health and wellbeing of East Sussex communities. Transport policies and schemes should help to create environments which are health promoting and encourage healthy lifestyles, reducing health inequalities.

Places should be well designed, attractive, safe and inclusive, and should improve connectivity and walkability, reduce social isolation and improve community cohesion. The highway and associated public realm can support social cohesion through avoiding barriers and severance and creating places for people to meet.

Also places should adapt to a rise of temperatures and severe weather events from climate change caused by all emissions released before net zero is achieved by 2050. For example, maintaining the provision of street trees ,which along with other urban greening measures, can provide cooling shade in hot weather, absorb carbon emissions from the atmosphere, absorb excessive rainwater as well as also benefit mental wellbeing. 

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5. Climate change and its impacts

In 2019, East Sussex declared a climate emergency in response to the need to address human-induced climate change and to achieve the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement. This agreement is a legally binding international treaty ratified by the United Kingdom in 2016 with the overarching goal  to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels” (United Nations Climate Change). This is aligned with the United Kingdom’s legal requirement under the Climate Act to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 100% of 1990 levels (net zero) by 2050.

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) has found that human activities, principally through emissions of greenhouse gases, have unequivocally caused global warming, with global surface temperature reaching 1.1°C above 1850–1900 in 2011–2020. Global mean temperature differences are shown in Figure 5.1.

Transport is the largest emitting sector of GHG emissions, producing 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020 (406 MtCO2e) (Department for Transport), encouraging modal shift to sustainable travel and reducing the number of private vehicles on the roads will be key components in achieving net zero. For public transport fleets and remaining private travel, the shift to electric vehicles and sustainable alternative fuels will be critical.

The East Sussex Climate Emergency Road Map for 2022-25 sets out a county-wide target of reducing emissions by 13% each year. It also acknowledges the Council’s influence on transport emissions in its role as highways authority.

Figure 5.1: global mean temperature difference from 1850-1900

Flood Risk

As a result of climate change, it is predicted that flooding, drought and extreme heat will occur more frequently leading to an increase in coastal erosions, damage to infrastructure and impact on habitats and wetlands (IPCC).

Transport infrastructure located along the coast and tidal rivers will be affected by coastal flooding from both sea level rise and adverse weather. Transport operations will also be at risk of delays by the increase in the average temperature and adverse weather.

The catchment areas and major rivers in East Sussex are presented in Figure 5.2, and the coastal areas and tidal rivers which are within Flood Zones 2 and 3 (areas subject to medium and high probability of flooding respectively ) are shown in Figure 5.3. Based on these figures, areas and communities along the River Cuckmere  and Pevensey Levels, River Ouse and Rother River have a higher probability of experiencing flooding.

Figure 5.2: rivers and catchment areas

Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Figure 5.3: flood risks in East Sussex

Source: Environment Agency (Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) - Flood Zone 2, Environment Agency and Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) - Flood Zone 3, Environment Agency)

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6. Our Local Environment and Biodiversity

Development enabled by current and future Local Plans as well as the construction of new transport infrastructure can result in the loss of habitats and species or create indirect negative impacts through pollution and general disturbance. In a similar way to property development, it is now a requirement for other infrastructure that any loss is accounted for and balanced with gains made elsewhere (for example, the planting of more trees than those lost to build a new railway or enough to offset the expected emissions and air pollution from an expanded highway).

More so than in previous local transport plans, LTP4 will consider how new transport infrastructure and wider urban development can be carried out with minimal impact on the natural environment. The plan will consider how its proposed actions will impact on biodiversity and the environment more widely and interventions will be needed to promote and protect existing green spaces across the county.

Similarly, development in the South Downs National Park will be considered in line with the South Downs Local Plan.

East Sussex has numerous green spaces and environmental designations of local, national and international significance including the large areas of the South Downs National Park, Brighton and Lewes Down biosphere reserve and the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Other sites include the Pevensey levels Ramsar site and Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Ashdown Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay Special Protection Area (SPA). However, not all of these locations are easily accessible by walking or cycling (as noted in Figure 3.5 and Figure 3.6). These designations also have planning controls and which may influence possible transport interventions in the future.

The county also has several priority habitats (Figure 6.1, Figure 6.2, Figure 6.3, and Figure 6.4) which include coastal flood plains, maritime cliffs, heathland, grazing marsh and several grasslands. Ancient Woodlands are also designated as priority habitats, specifically protected by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), as they contribute to protecting endangered wildlife, carbon store and seed bank.

Figure 6.1: designations for nature conservation

Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Figure 6.2: ancient woodland

Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Figure 6.3: landscape designations

Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Figure 6.4: priority habitats

Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Historic Environment

East Sussex has numerous historic assets which have the potential to be impacted by new transport developments.

Figure 6.5 shows the national historic designations according to Historic England, this includes various scheduled monuments, battlefields, registered parks and gardens.

Listed buildings, which are locally designated assets, are shown in Figure 6.6. Conservation areas are subject to management plans. Opportunities can be sought to improve access to historic environments and improve the setting.

There is an uneven distribution of historic assets with fewer present in Rother. Key active travel routes are noticeable through the distribution of scheduled monuments (e.g. South Downs Way).

Figure 6.5: heritage designations

Figure 6.6: listed buildings

Source for heritage destinations and listed buildings: Historic England

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7. Sustainable economic development

A comprehensive and accessible transport network is an essential enabler of economic opportunity, connecting people to employment and training, and customers to businesses.

Local Plans produced by District and Borough Councils, and the South Downs National Park Authority, set out the level and distribution of expected future development, as well as the policy framework for delivering that growth.

There is increased pressure to deliver more housing and work opportunities in the county.

Transport Model Outputs

This report has used a strategic transport model (based on a software package called SATURN) that has detailed coverage of the highway network of East Sussex and can provide forecasts of traffic flows and delays across all highways modes both for today and into the future. In the absence of expensive actual or real time data for all roads, this provides a consistent dataset across the county.

Major roads with the highest traffic volumes in East Sussex include the A21, A22, A26, A27 and the A259, which are the main corridors connecting the county and for journeys into London and neighbouring authorities with the AM and PM peak flows showing similar demand. Figure 7.1 shows modelled AM peak traffic volumes and emphasises the important role the county’s major roads play in transporting people and goods within the county and beyond.

Most roads experience a delay during peak periods compared to free flow speeds (average speed on a congestion-free link) to some extent (Figure 7.4), with the most acute delays along major roads as well as in major settlements. This delay can have significant effects on business productivity, employees and supply chains.

This report has also used traffic flows from counters for 2019. These validate the outputs provided by the transport model in showing that major roads with the highest traffic volumes in East Sussex include the A21, A22, A26, A27 and the A259, which are the main corridors connecting the county and for journeys into London and neighbouring authorities with the AM and PM peak flows showing similar demand. Particularly high flows are seen on the A27 between Lewes and Polegate (Figure 7.7).

Figure 7.1: AM peak volumes

Figure 7.2: AM peak volume (Eastbourne area)

Figure 7.3: AM peak volume (Hastings and Bexhill area)

Figure 7.4: AM delay relative to free flow speed

Figure 7.5: AM delay relative to free flow speed (Eastbourne area)

Figure 7.6: AM delay relative to free flow speed (Hastings and Bexhill area)

Figure 7.7: Traffic flows in East Sussex monitored by counters 2019

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8. Innovation through technology

The national government has labelled ‘the future of mobility’ as one of the country’s key Grand Challenges (2021). This means it is also a vital opportunity area which is ripe for future development.

New technologies have the potential to transform the way we travel and engage in our daily lives. From reducing climate change impacts through innovations in electric vehicle technology, to improving accessibility and social inclusion through accessible transport services.

High quality broadband and the increasing uptake of electric vehicles and alternative fuels (i.e. hydrogen) are just some of the ways in which technological advancements can improve how people communicate and travel throughout East Sussex, whilst also causing less harm to the environment.

However, the shift to electric vehicles and uses of sustainable alternative fuels such as hydrogen do not remove the need to make the most of existing road and rail infrastructure in East Sussex. For example, journeys made by rail or bus instead of private car create additional highway capacity for those with fewer or no other options to drive with less congestion.

Broadband Connectivity

The majority of the county has superfast broadband connection (pale areas in Figure 8.1). However, there are still some rural parts of East Sussex where households struggle to obtain a superfast broadband connection, such as in Lewes district, Rother and the north of Wealden.

Affordable broadband connectivity can have an impact on socio-economic opportunities as well as working from home, the ability to arrange certain transport modes, such as taxi services, and check online information and service quality across public transport.

Figure 8.1: percentage of premises that have superfast broadband (30Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband

Source: Ofcom

Vehicle Ownership and Electric Vehicles

Car and van ownership has increased in East Sussex from 215,000 in 2001 to 232,000 in 2011 (an 8% increase). This compares to a 7% increase in the total population of East Sussex over the same period (492,000 to 527,000) (East Sussex in Figures).

The majority of households in East Sussex only have one car or van (43%), though a greater proportion of households have two cars or vans (26%) than no cars or vans (22%) (Figure 8.2).

While there are around 400 more households with no car or van, in all districts and boroughs the proportion of households with no cars has decreased slightly in line with the trend observed for the rest of England and Wales. As of 2011 there were 51,000 households without a car or van who are more likely to rely on public transport/taxis.

Figure 8.2: car and van ownership in 2001 and 2011

Car and van Ownership in 2001 and 2011

District - Year	All Households	Households with no cars	Households with one car	Households with two cars	Households with three cars	Households with four cars or more
Eastbourne - 2001	40,918	32%	46%	19%	3%	1%
Eastbourne - 2011	45,012	29%	46%	20%	4%	1%
Hastings - 2001	37,604	34%	44%	18%	3%	1%
Hastings - 2011	41,159	33%	43%	18%	4%	1%
Lewes - 2001	39,728	21%	46%	26%	5%	2%
Lewes - 2011	42,181	20%	46%	26%	6%	2%
Rother - 2001	38,114	21%	46%	25%	6%	2%
Rother - 2011	40,877	19%	44%	27%	7%	3%
Wealden - 2001	58,274	14%	40%	34%	8%	3%
Wealden - 2011	62,676	12%	39%	34%	10%	4%
East Sussex - 2001	214,638	23%	44%	25%	5%	2%
East Sussex - 2011	231,905	22%	43%	26%	6%	3%
England and Wales - 2001	21,660,475	27%	44%	24%	5%	1%
England and Wales - 2011	23,366,044	26%	42%	25%	5%	2%

Source: East Sussex in Figures

Figure 8.3: households with no car or van

Source: Office for National Statistics

Figure 8.4,  Figure 8.5, Figure 8.6, Figure 8.7 and Figure 8.8 show the total number of licensed vehicles by type of fuel used (Department for Transport and DVLA - Tables VEH0105 and VEH0142). Ownership of petrol and diesel vehicles remains high in all areas with alternative fuel sources increasing but remaining low as a proportion of total vehicles across East Sussex.

Figure 8.4: total licensed vehicles by fuel type (Eastbourne Borough)

Total Licensed Vehicles By Fuel Type (Eastbourne)

Year	Diesel (thousands)	Other Fuels (thousands)	Petrol (thousands)
2012 Q1	14.919	0.404	34.647
2013 Q1	15.353	0.495	34.62
2014 Q1	16.932	0.611	34.41
2015 Q1	17.714	0.702	34.281
2016 Q1	18.904	0.805	34.389
2017 Q1	18.746	0.946	34.472
2018 Q1	18.522	1.093	34.835
2019 Q1	18.592	1.235	35.197
2020 Q1	18.641	1.425	34.874
2021 Q1	19.005	1.898	33.91
2022 Q1	18.9	2.699	33.06

Figure 8.5: total licensed vehicles by fuel type (Hastings Borough)

Total Licensed Vehicles By Fuel Type (Hastings)

Year	Diesel (thousands)	Other Fuels (thousands)	Petrol (thousands)
2012 Q1	12.357	0.252	29.667
2013 Q1	12.902	0.294	29.144
2014 Q1	13.661	0.38	29.018
2015 Q1	14.703	0.484	29.11
2016 Q1	15.589	0.601	29.538
2017 Q1	16.453	0.734	29.541
2018 Q1	16.727	0.871	29.319
2019 Q1	16.917	0.946	28.993
2020 Q1	17.085	1.091	28.889
2021 Q1	17.385	1.322	28.461
2022 Q1	17.4	1.712	28.357

Figure 8.6: total licensed vehicles by fuel type (Lewes District)

Total Licensed Vehicles By Fuel Type (Lewes)

Year	Diesel (thousands)	Other Fuels (thousands)	Petrol (thousands)
2012 Q1	19.282	0.426	37.879
2013 Q1	20.058	0.488	37.195
2014 Q1	21.787	0.561	36.807
2015 Q1	22.74	0.645	36.779
2016 Q1	23.729	0.766	36.727
2017 Q1	24.621	0.901	36.572
2018 Q1	23.2	1.111	36.205
2019 Q1	23.372	1.331	36.632
2020 Q1	23.198	1.682	36.596
2021 Q1	23.98	2.097	36.299
2022 Q1	24.035	2.91	36.212

Figure 8.7: total licensed vehicles by fuel type (Rother District)

Total Licensed Vehicles By Fuel Type (Rother)

Year	Diesel (thousands)	Other Fuels (thousands)	Petrol (thousands)
2012 Q1	20.386	0.427	38.235
2013 Q1	21.347	0.497	37.423
2014 Q1	22.621	0.593	37.412
2015 Q1	23.621	0.691	37.185
2016 Q1	24.789	0.782	37.43
2017 Q1	25.65	0.974	37.688
2018 Q1	26.011	1.135	37.718
2019 Q1	26.136	1.269	38.126
2020 Q1	26.104	1.589	38.256
2021 Q1	26.255	1.98	38.1
2022 Q1	26.515	2.666	37.967

Figure 8.8: total licensed vehicles by fuel type (Wealden District)

Total Licensed Vehicles By Fuel Type (Wealden)

Year	Diesel (thousands)	Other Fuels (thousands)	Petrol (thousands)
2012 Q1	38.888	0.716	67.427
2013 Q1	40.99	0.798	66.833
2014 Q1	43.2	0.959	66.663
2015 Q1	45.214	1.086	66.59
2016 Q1	47.465	1.272	67.039
2017 Q1	48.617	1.572	67.308
2018 Q1	49.116	1.892	67.347
2019 Q1	49.212	2.276	68.515
2020 Q1	49.23	2.759	69.079
2021 Q1	49.589	3.494	68.643
2022 Q1	50.235	5.052	69.184

Figure 8.9, Figure 8.10, Figure 8.11, Figure 8.12 and Figure 8.13 show that this trend for greener vehicles is apparent within all districts and boroughs of East Sussex . Battery electric vehicles make up the biggest proportion of plug-in vehicles, with 1,065 registrations in Wealden district– almost twice as many as in Lewes district which has the second largest number of electric vehicles (Department for Transport and DVLA - Tables VEH0105 and VEH0142).

Hastings borough has the fewest number of battery electric vehicles out of all East Sussex districts and boroughs with 198 registrations at the beginning of 2022.

As the number of registered electric vehicle increases across East Sussex, so will the demand for electric vehicle charge points and associated infrastructure.

Figure 8.9: licensed low emissions vehicles (Eastbourne Borough)

Licensed Low Emission Vehicles (Eastbourne)

Year	Battery Electric	Plug-in hybrid electric (diesel)	Plug-in hybrid electric (petrol)	Range extended electric
2012 Q1	9	8	0	0
2013 Q1	8	0	Confidential	Confidential
2014 Q1	7	Confidential	Confidential	Confidential
2015 Q1	17	0	Confidential	Confidential
2016 Q1	36	0	8	Confidential
2017 Q1	31	Confidential	19	Confidential
2018 Q1	45	0	47	6
2019 Q1	55	0	53	8
2020 Q1	85	Confidential	89	8
2021 Q1	153	Confidential	139	12
2022 Q1	430	Confidential	209	23

Figure 8.10: licensed low emissions vehicles (Hastings Borough)

Licensed Low Emission Vehicles (Hastings)

Year	Battery Electric	Plug-in hybrid electric (diesel)	Plug-in hybrid electric (petrol)	Range extended electric
2012 Q1	8	18	0	0
2013 Q1	6	0	0	0
2014 Q1	14	Confidential	Confidential	Confidential
2015 Q1	27	Confidential	Confidential	Confidential
2016 Q1	40	Confidential	11	Confidential
2017 Q1	52	Confidential	22	Confidential
2018 Q1	55	Confidential	28	8
2019 Q1	54	Confidential	43	14
2020 Q1	72	0	55	11
2021 Q1	120	0	81	12
2022 Q1	198	Confidential	133	15

Figure 8.11: licensed low emissions vehicles (Lewes District)

Licensed Low Emission Vehicles (Lewes)

Year	Battery Electric	Plug-in hybrid electric (diesel)	Plug-in hybrid electric (petrol)	Range extended electric
2012 Q1	18	0	0	0
2013 Q1	22	0	Confidential	0
2014 Q1	29	0	Confidential	Confidential
2015 Q1	39	0	8	7
2016 Q1	56	Confidential	33	11
2017 Q1	73	Confidential	53	16
2018 Q1	98	Confidential	88	18
2019 Q1	129	Confidential	128	27
2020 Q1	217	Confidential	161	32
2021 Q1	313	5	212	30
2022 Q1	546	7	331	38

Figure 8.12: licensed low emissions vehicles (Rother District)

Licensed Low Emission Vehicles (Rother)

Year	Battery Electric	Plug-in hybrid electric (diesel)	Plug-in hybrid electric (petrol)	Range extended electric
2012 Q1	8	0	0	0
2013 Q1	Confidential	0	Confidential	0
2014 Q1	Confidential	0	Confidential	0
2015 Q1	20	Confidential	9	Confidential
2016 Q1	39	Confidential	30	5
2017 Q1	67	Confidential	46	11
2018 Q1	81	Confidential	75	14
2019 Q1	116	5	96	16
2020 Q1	236	7	133	15
2021 Q1	321	Confidential	199	21
2022 Q1	510	5	321	20

Figure 8.13: licensed low emissions vehicles (Wealden District)

Licensed Low Emission Vehicles (Wealden)

Year	Battery Electric	Plug-in hybrid electric (diesel)	Plug-in hybrid electric (petrol)	Range extended electric
2012 Q1	18	0	24	0
2013 Q1	20	0	Confidential	0
2014 Q1	30	0	Confidential	Confidential
2015 Q1	57	0	17	8
2016 Q1	92	0	55	12
2017 Q1	143	Confidential	107	19
2018 Q1	183	Confidential	160	33
2019 Q1	249	Confidential	260	46
2020 Q1	380	6	342	48
2021 Q1	567	10	448	59
2022 Q1	1065	12	677	61

Electric Vehicle Charge Points

The number of public electric vehicle (EV) charge points installed in in East Sussex is increasing (Figure 8.14). In January 2022 there were 136 public charge points in East Sussex, an increase of 76.6% over a two year period.

Figure 8.14: number of electric vehicle charge points in East Sussex

Number Of Electric Vehicle Charge Points

District	January 2020	January 2022	January 2023
Eastbourne	31	33	36
Hastings	8	14	25
Lewes	16	22	25
Rother	9	10	21
Wealden	13	18	29

Source: Department for Transport

The cost to charge can vary considerably and can be influenced by a range of factors such as location, time of day, the type of vehicle, whether it is owned or leased, and more. In some cases, it is even provided for free.. Nevertheless, the onus remains on the user to determine the charging provider and costs most appropriate for their vehicle and journey, with services such as Zap-Map increasingly available to assist.

Figure 8.15: electric vehicle charge points in East Sussex

Source: Department for Transport

Hydrogen

Potential exists for ‘green hydrogen’ to support a more sustainable future as it can help decarbonise the transport sector – a priority area for not only local authorities but wider regional, national, and international landscapes. ‘Green hydrogen’ is a type of hydrogen that is produced by electrolysis with renewable electricity which therefore produces less carbon emissions from production and makes the most of the region’s potential for renewable power

Supported and facilitated by Hydrogen Sussex, several hydrogen projects have, or are taking shape within or nearby to East Sussex. Projects include, but are not limited to:

• Hydrogen bus fleets (Metrobus) to be deployed in the Crawley, Horley and Gatwick Airport area
• A hydrogen refuelling station at Gatwick Airport
• A green hydrogen hub at Shoreham Port
• The option to look into opportunities to convert fleet and contracted vehicles belonging to local authorities, as well as waste services vehicles.

The extent to which hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells will ultimately power vehicles in East Sussex remains to be determined.

Both Go-Ahead and Stagecoach have corporate goals to achieve zero-emission fleets by 2035. East Sussex County Council has already partnered with Brighton & Hove Buses to promote proposals to convert the 37 bus Newhaven Depot to hydrogen fuel for a fleet of fuel-cell buses to operate the 12 and 14 group of routes, with funding from the Newhaven Town Fund already in place for the fuelling facility (East Sussex Bus Service Improvement Plan).

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Stage 1 – Policy Review for East Sussex’s Fourth Local Transport Plan

Development of East Sussex’s Fourth Local Transport Plan (LTP4) is informed by an understanding of existing legislation and policy priorities. To ensure effective alignment with current and future ambitions, a review was undertaken of the existing policy landscape, across national, regional, and local government. Policy priorities that were identified as a result of this process form the framework of the LTP. Analysis of the policy landscape led to the creation of seven key themes for the LTP, organised along three thematic areas, spanning social, economic, and environmental spheres as set out below.

Our People

1. Accessibility, equity, and social inclusion

2. Safety, health, and air quality

3. Community and sense of place

Our Natural and Built Environment

4. Climate change and its impacts

5. Our local environment and biodiversity

Our Growth

6. Sustainable economic development

7. Innovation through technology

The policy review process allows for a general understanding of East Sussex’s position and ambition demonstrated through the documents outlined in the summaries of reviewed national policy and strategy documents, below.

This includes the type and scale of policy ambition, existing initiatives across policy sectors and how they may interact to deliver tangible outcomes on the ground. Priorities can be identified across local, regional, and national levels, showing how patterns of ambition and commitment vary across levels of government. The summaries of reviewed national policy and strategy documents, below outlines all the national, regional and local policy documents reviewed as part of the evidence base for this LTP. Short summaries are provided for each policy document, indicating key and relevant points for East Sussex and the LTP, where appropriate.

Tables 1, 2 and 3 outline how each policy document integrates into the thematic structure presented above, and highlights where policy documents cover transport related themes generally as . transport can be a key enabler or barrier for addressing issues highlighted in the themes.

Summaries of reviewed national policy and strategy documents

Decarbonising Transport: A Better Green Britain (2021), Department for Transport 

Relationship: Transport – All modes

Sets out path to achieving a net zero transportation system in the UK, and the commitments and actions needed to get there. Decarbonisation is considered for all forms of transport and key targets and enablers are proposed.

Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy (2019), Department for Transport

Relationship: Transport – All Modes       

This strategy heralds a moment of opportunity in the technological innovation of transport that the UK needs to embrace. The Government sets out its approach to facilitating innovation in urban mobility for passengers, services, and freight, with a focus on specific areas of innovation with significant future prospects. The recommendations will be considered as part of the LTP review for East Sussex but also as part of the development of key policies, particularly in regards to digital mobility and future and zero emission mobility.

The Last Mile (2019), Department for Transport   

Relationship: Transport – All Modes       

The Department for Transport has set out recommendations to facilitate the growth of e-commerce and delivery businesses whilst minimising any negative externalities on the national transport system and the environment. This is likely to have implications for businesses across East Sussex.

Inclusive Transport Strategy (2018), Department for Transport 

Relationship: Transport – All Modes       

This Strategy sets out the Government’s plans to make our transport system more inclusive, and to make travel easier for disabled people. Both physical infrastructure interventions and ‘soft’ policy approaches are laid out, and potential funding streams are identified. This document will be of critical importance for consideration as part of the review of the East Sussex LTP and the development of the Equalities Impact Assessment.

Transport Investment Strategy (2017), Department for Transport           

Relationship: Transport – All Modes       

A broad strategy for investing into the UK’s transport system to create better connected, reliable networks, enhance economic productivity and local growth, support the creation of new housing, and enhance Britain’s global competitiveness.

Gear Change (2020), Department for Transport       

Relationship: Transport – Active Travel  

A strategic vision, published during the Covid-19 pandemic, for incentivising walking and cycling across the UK, empowering local authorities to invest in active travel schemes and encouraging people to use them. The document sets out new design guidance and higher quality and safety requirements to deliver a ‘gear change’ in active travel infrastructure.   Gear Change will inform the design of active travel infrastructure identified in the East Sussex Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) adopted by the County Council in September 2021.

The Second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS2) (2021), Department for Transport Active Travel England

Relationship: Transport – Active Travel  

CWIS2 builds upon the foundations established in CWIS (2017), updating the strategy in line with advancements in policy, as well as the socioeconomic changes brought about by the pandemic. CWIS2 sets out objectives and financial resources for the period 2021-2025. Headline objectives include increasing the number of short journeys in towns and cities done undertaken by active modes from 41% in 2018/19 to 46% in 2025, and doubling cycling activity by 2025, from a 2013 baseline.

Flightpath to the Future: A Strategic Framework for the Aviation Sector (2022), Department for Transport             

Relationship: Transport - Aviation            

This strategy aims to boost the UK’s aviation sector in light of the Covid-19 recovery and a move towards sustainable technologies. A ten-point plan underlines the Government’s commitment to growth in the sector. While East Sussex is not home to any major airports, recovery and growth at nearby Gatwick could affect traffic movements in adjacent areas of the county.

Bus Back Better (2021), Department for Transport

Relationship: Transport - Bus     

The national bus strategy sets out priorities for how this mode of transport can be used as a tool for Covid-19 recovery, implementing the Levelling Up agenda and meeting decarbonisation targets. Local authorities are required to develop Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP) for their areas to enable funding to be secured and the current East Sussex BSIP was approved in October 2021. East Sussex BSIP secured £41.4m of funding to deliver both improvements to infrastructure and services and will be reviewed as part of the review of East Sussex LTP, alongside inclusion in the implementation plan and identifying links with other supporting plans including the East Sussex Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan. .

Strategic Business Plan (2020), National Highways 

Relationship: Transport - Road  

A document responding to the Road Investment Strategy, providing high-level direction for all parts of Highways England (now National Highways). These include safety, reliability, sustainability, economic growth, integration with other transport modes and new technology.

Road Investment Strategy 2 (2020), Department for Transport  

Relationship: Transport - Road  

A long-term vision for the UK’s strategic road network, outlining expected standards and planned road enhancement schemes. (RIS 3 includes the A27 upgrade between Lewes and Polegate in East Sussex as a potential pipeline scheme.)

Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline Autumn 2019 Scheme Update (2019), Department for Transport     

Relationship: Transport - Rail      

This update outlines rail schemes funded by the Control Period 6 enhancements budget, covering the period between 2019 and 2024. Schemes announced for the Southern Network Rail Region are likely to have some knock-on positive impacts to rail services across East Sussex, even if they are not delivered directly in the county.

Network Rail Strategic Business Plan (2018), Network Rail

Relationship: Transport - Rail      

A strategic plan which sets out medium term priorities and targets for improving how railways around the UK are operated, with a focus on reliable passenger services, potential to fuel growth and better integration between Network Rail and train operating companies.

Levelling Up the United Kingdom (2022), Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities             

Relationship: Economy and Planning       

The Levelling Up White Paper sets out the Government’s strategy for addressing inequality in the UK through a range of interventions that target various indicators of inequality. One of its twelve focus areas or ‘missions’ is transport infrastructure.

National Planning Policy Framework (2021), Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

Relationship: Economy and Planning       

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPFPF) sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how they should be applied. Specific planning approaches are laid out across transport and related sectors, from promoting sustainable transport to making effective use of land and building a competitive economy. The NPFF NPPF must be considered when preparing any development plans.

Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act (1990), HM Government Legislation               

Relationship: Planning and Environment

The Act provides controls for the demolition, alteration or extension of buildings, objects, or structures of particular architectural or historic interest including listed buildings and conservation areas. Location of Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas are included as part of the Integrated Impact Assessment baseline and impacts on them will be considered. 

Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979),HM Government Legislation      

Relationship: Planning and Environment

Provides protection for ‘Scheduled’ Ancient Monuments and makes provision for the investigation, preservation and recording of matters of archaeological or historical interest. The Integrated Impact Assessment identifies Monuments that are Scheduled under the Act and will consider any impacts of the Local Transport Plan on them, in addition to potential for archaeology.

Nature Positive 2030 (2021), Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, NatureScot, Northern Ireland Environment Agency 

Relationship: Environment          

Following on from global commitments for nature, including to protect 30% of our land and seas by 2030; five statutory nature conservation bodies set out how the UK can achieve these commitments, ensuring nature recovery plays a critical role in achieving net zero.

Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener (2021), HM Government

Relationship: Environment          

A long-term strategy that sets out policies and priorities for achieving a decarbonised economy by 2050. It sets out key commitments from greening the transport sector, including a zero-emission vehicle mandate to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 which will need to be considered in particular as part of our Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy.

UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3) and Transport Sector Briefing (2021), HM Government        

Relationship: Environment     

The Climate Change Risk Assessment is required under the Climate Change Act and sets out risks and opportunities for the UK from climate change. For transport, there are a number of risk areas which require mitigating action going forward. These include addressing risk to infrastructure from cascading failures, risks from slope and embankment failure, high and low temperatures, high winds and lightning, as well as flooding.

Clean Air Strategy (2019), Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs      

Relationship: Environment          

This strategy sets out a comprehensive action plan for all parts of government and society to tackle air pollution and control major sources of air pollution. Relevant transport objectives are set out for all polluting modes.

Net Zero: The UK’s contribution to stopping global warming (2019), Climate Change Committee

Relationship: Environment     

A document setting out a high-level path for achieving ‘net zero’ in the UK. Transport-related strategic priorities include switching shifting to sustainable travel, and widespread electrification across transport modes.

A Green Future: 25 Year Environment Plan (2018), HM Government        

Relationship: Environment          

This strategy sets out the Government’s action plan to help the natural world regain and retain good health. It aims to deliver cleaner air and water while cultivating richer wildlife habitats. The future of mobility is identified as one of the key challenges with target priorities set our decarbonisation and encouraging new technologies and modes of transport.

Our Waste, Our Resources: A Strategy for England (2018), HM Government         

Relationship: Environment          

This strategy sets out how Government will preserve material resources by minimising waste, promoting resource efficiency, and moving towards a circular economy in England.

Clean Growth Strategy (2017), HM Government

Relationship: Environment          

The Clean Growth Strategy aims to balance the UK’s economic growth with reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Accelerating the shift to low carbon transport is identified as one of the key policy priority areas, with fixed targets and funding set out to carry out decarbonisation across a range of transport modes.

UK Plan for Tackling Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations (2017), Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs  

Relationship: Environment          

The effort to reduce NO2 needs to be targeted on the sources that make the biggest contribution to the problem: road vehicles contribute about 80% of NO2 pollution at the roadside and growth in the number of diesel cars has exacerbated this problem. In developing their local plans to tackle the causes of air pollution, local authorities should consider a range of options from improved technology to limiting access.

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017), HM Government Legislation

Relationship: Environment     

The Regulations designate and protect sites for the conservation of natural habitats, wild flora and fauna and wild birds under previous European Directives and implement aspects of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (below). It requires several stages of assessment to be undertaken where a plan or project may affect designated sites. This document will be considered as part of the development of the Integrated Impact Assessment, which will combine several sustainability appraisal processes, so that environmental and social impacts are identified and mitigated as part of  the development of the East Sussex LTP4.

The Water Environment Water Framework Directive Regulations (2017), HM Government Legislation      

Relationship: Environment     

These Regulations make provision for implementing water-related environmental protection and more generally water management. They include identification of river basin districts, characterisation, and classification of the status of water bodies in those districts and specifies measures that must be included in a programme of measures to protect the quality of the water.  This document will be considered as part of the development of the Integrated Impact Assessment, which will combine several sustainability appraisal processes, so that environmental and social impacts are identified and mitigated as part of  the development of the East Sussex LTP4.

Safeguarding our Soils – A Strategy for England (2011), Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs               

Relationship: Environment          

Sets a vision for managing soils sustainably and tackling degradation by 2030. Recognises the important ecosystem services soils provide and need to strengthen protection and their resilience to climate change. Key areas include better protection for agricultural soils; protecting and enhancing stores of soil carbon; building the resilience of soils to a changing climate; preventing soil pollution; effective soil protection during construction; and dealing with contaminated land.

Waste Regulations for England and Wales (2011), HM Government Legislation   

Relationship: Environment          

These regulations set out requirements for the collection, transport, recovery, and disposal of waste.  They adopt a waste hierarchy, which gives priority to preventing waste in the first place, preparing it for re-use, then recycling, recovery, and last of allfinally disposals.

Climate Change Act (2008), HM Government Legislation

Relationship: Environment          

Sets targets for UK greenhouse gas emission reductions of at least 100% by 2050, against a 1990 baseline (this was previously 80% but was updated to a net zero target in June 2019). The Act also provides a system of carbon budgeting and the development of a National Adaptation Programme.

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006), HM Government Legislation     

Relationship: Environment               

Includes a list of species and types of habitats which are of principal importance for conserving biodiversity (Priority Species and Habitats).

Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000), HM Government Legislation 

Relationship: Environment          

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act normally gives a public right of access to land mapped as ‘open country’ or registered common land. ‘Open access land’ often includes parts of the coastal margin used to create England’s Coast Path. The development of East Sussex’s LTP4 will ensure alignment with the East Sussex Rights of Way Improvement Plan, which is currently being updated.

Wildlife Countryside Act (1981), HM Government Legislation      

Relationship: Environment          

The primary legislation for protection of species and habitats in the UK. It gives protection to native species; controls release of non-native species and protects Sites of Special Scientific Interest.  The development of East Sussex’s LTP4 will ensure alignment with the East Sussex Rights of Way Improvement Plan, which is currently being updated 

Public Health England Strategy 2020-2025 (2020), Public Health England                

Relationship: Social and Health 

An outline of priorities to protect people and help people live longer in good health. It sets out aims around keeping people safe, preventing poor health, narrowing the health gap, and supporting a strong economy. The East Sussex LTP4 will be underpinned by several the key priorities set out in this document alongside those similarly outlined in local public health strategies, including  the East Sussex - Healthy lives, healthy people: East Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board Strategy, East Sussex Whole-System Healthy Weight Plan 2021-2026 (2021), and the East Sussex Health and Social Care Plan (2020).

NHS Long Term Plan (2019), National Health Service       

Relationship: Social and Health 

This plan constitutes a long-term strategy for the NHS, with a number of key priorities including new service models, funding settlements, care quality, workforce pressures and new technologies. It recognises the opportunities bought about by the uptake of public transport and active travel in both preventing and treating numerous illnesses and consequential positive impacts on the NHS. The decarbonisation of transport additionally constitutes an integral element of health and social care, comprising a proportion of the carbon footprint of health and social care. This has reduced 19% since 2007, but remains a challenge in delivering the Climate Change Act target of 34% by 2020 and 51% by 2025.  The East Sussex LTP4 will be underpinned by several the key priorities set out in this document alongside those similarly outlined in local public health strategies, including  the East Sussex - Healthy lives, healthy people: East Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board Strategy, East Sussex Whole-System Healthy Weight Plan 2021-2026 (2021), and the East Sussex Health and Social Care Plan (2020).

Childhood Obesity Strategy (2016), HM Government      

Relationship: Social and Health 

This strategy provides a plan for action in relation to the challenge of childhood obesity, of which around 1/3 of children aged 2-15 are overweight or obese. The impacts of obesity are great, particularly on the NHS, and disproportionately impacting children from low-income backgrounds. Calls for action relate to nutrition and diet, but of note include an ambition to help all children enjoy an hour of physical activity every day and improving the quality of sport and physical activity programmes for schools. It recognises the importance of walking and cycling in enabling physical exercise, particularly as a means to travel to and from school. It presents the government’s commitments to children walking and cycling, with targets to increase the number of children walking to school, alongside continued support for Bikeability cycle training.   The East Sussex LTP4 will reflect a number of the calls for action especially in relation to transport, alongside the more localised strategy, the  East Sussex Whole-System Healthy Weight Plan 2021-2026 (2021). This will also have an influence on the review of County’s Council Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Everybody Active, Every Day (2014), Public Health England           

Relationship: Social and Health 

An evidence-based approach to support sectors to better embed physical activity into daily life, making it a normal choice within communities across England. The framework was co-produced with a variety of national and local leaders in physical activity and acts as a call for action from providers and commissioners working across most public and private sectors. Its 4 areas for action focus on changing the social norm of physical activity, improve expertise and leadership, create physical activity-friendly environments and to identify and up-scale programmes with good levels of success.

Physical Activity: Walking and Cycling – Public health guideline PH41 (2012), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Relationship: Social and Health 

Provides guidance on encouraging people to increase their levels of walking and cycling, for travel and recreation purposes. Recommendations cover policy and planning, local programmes alongside promotion within schools, workplaces, and the NHS. It presents a set of holistic recommendations for walking and cycling, data on the public health need and further considerations impacting levels of walking and cycling .The holistic recommendations will be reflected in the development of the East Sussex LTP4 but will also influence the review of the East Sussex LCWIP.

Equalities Act (2010), HM Government Legislation           

Relationship: Social and Health 

This Act includes a public-sector equality duty which requires public organisations and those delivering public functions to show due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation; to advance equality of opportunity; and to foster good relations between communities. The act identifies eight protected characteristic groups (including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation) and the Council must ensure that new policies and actions do not cause disproportionate negative impacts on any of these groups. The review of the East Sussex LTP4 will be underpinned by inclusivity, and this will be reflected through policy development and transport scheme and initiative identification and delivery. To support this an Equalities Impact Assessment will be developed and reviewed regularly. This will also influence accompanying strategies including the East Sussex LCWIP, BSIP and EV Charging Infrastructure.

Summaries of reviewed regional policy and strategy documents

Future Mobility Strategy (2022), Transport for the South East    

Relationship: Transport – All Modes     

This strategy sets out a vision for future mobility, taking a lead from the 2050 vision set out in the Transport for the South East’s Transport Strategy. It is expected that, through actions outlined in this document, the South East will have a globally leading sustainable mobility ecosystem, driving the shift the net zero. Strategic objectives are set out to meet this vision. They include the prioritisation of active modes as first choice for local journeys, the development of zero emissions mass transit, integration of passenger and freight transport networks, people-central and accessible transport, and universal digital connectivity.

Gatwick Surface Access Strategy (2022), Gatwick Airport

Relationship: Transport – All Modes     

This strategy sets out an eight-year sustainable surface access vision for Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL), setting new targets for sustainable travel mode share to the airport. These include an aim to achieve 52% public transport mode share for passenger coming to the airport by 2030, and 48% sustainable travel mode share for staff journeys. The review of the East Sussex LTP4 will reflect the need to continue to work in partnership with GAL to support sustainable travel options in accessing the airport.

Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) (2023), Transport for the South East

Relationship: Economy and Planning    

The Strategic Investment Plan, adopted in March 2023, provides a framework for investment in strategic transport infrastructure, services, and regulatory interventions for the next thirty years. Interventions outlined throughout the plan seek to address – decarbonisation, adapting to a new post-Covid normal, levelling up left behind communities, facilitating regeneration and growth, delivering world class urban transport systems, transforming east-to-west connectivity, developing resilient radial transport corridors, and enhancing existing global gateways and freight. The £48 billion plan is expected to bring in 21,000 jobs over the next three decades and result in 4 million fewer car trips. It will be important to ensure that the schemes identified for the East Sussex area in the SIP are reflected in the East Sussex LTP Implementation Plan. This document will accompany the LTP4 strategy and will set out the investment required and the potential timescales for the delivery of key transport infrastructure projects.

Economic Recovery and Renewal Strategy (2021), South East Local Enterprise Partnership

Relationship: Economy and Planning 

This strategy aims to ensure the survival and stability of the economy in the South East Local Enterprise Partnership area, facilitating a post-Covid recovery. Seven key objectives are identified – supporting business innovation, driving trade and growth, delivering a skilled workforce, improving digital and physical connectivity, putting clean growth at the heart of what we do, supporting equality and promoting greater resilience in our places.

Freight, Logistics and Gateways Strategy (2021), Transport for the South East    

Relationship: Transport

This strategy details a plan to enable the growth of industry to keep up with the growing population and economy of the Southeast in a sustainable manner, setting out a vision for how the sector should develop going forward to 2040. Actions for public and private sector organisations are outlined for the short, medium and long term. The strategy aims to reduce the environmental impact of the freight sector by achieving net zero by 2050.

Local Industrial Strategy (2020), South East Local Enterprise Partnership

Relationship: Economy and Planning    

The Local Industrial Strategy sets out five priority areas for driving economic growth in the South East Local Enterprise (SELEP) area. Headline ambitions across these areas include raising productivity in the SELEP area and across all sectors, accelerating housing and infrastructure delivery to meet planned growth, collaborating across the greater Southeast and with national government.

Transport Strategy (2020), Transport for the South East

Relationship: Transport – all modes      

This Strategy covers 16 constituent local transport authorities, 5 local enterprise partnerships, and 46 district and borough councils across the South East. It sets out a 30-year vision for region and the strategic economic, social, and environmental goals and priorities that underpin it. These include net-zero, improved productivity, health and wellbeing, quality of life, accessibility, and protection of the south-east unique natural and historic environment.

Tri-LEP Energy Strategy (2019), South East Local Enterprise Partnership, Capital to Coast and Enterprise M3           

Relationship: Environment       

A combined energy strategy developed by three local enterprise partnerships; South East Local Enterprise Partnership, Capital to Coast and Enterprise M3, with a shared vision to become leaders for sustainable energy production in the UK, powering innovating and clean economic growth. Five priority themes and example project models related to each are outlined. Themes include low carbon heating, energy saving and efficiency, renewable generation, smart energy systems, and a transport revolution.

South East River Basin Management Plan (2015), Environment Agency  

Relationship: Environment       

Part 1 of the Plan, the Policy Paper, sets out the state of the water environment, pressures affecting the water environment, environmental objectives for protecting and improving the waters programme of measures, and actions needed to achieve the objectives. It also informs decisions on land-use planning because water and land resources are closely linked.

Port Masterplan (2012), Newhaven Port Authority

Relationship: Transport - Water

The Newhaven Port Masterplan sets out a strategic framework for developing the port over the next 20 to 30 years. The plan sets out key strategic aims for future development and puts together specific development proposals for various Quay areas across the Newhaven Port, coupled with new inland transport access options.

Summaries of reviewed local policy and strategy documents

Local Transport Plan 3 (2011 - 2026), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Transport – All Modes     

The current iteration of the Local Transport Plan (LTP3) covers the time period 2011 to 2026, setting out key objectives and actions to deliver an effective and well managed transport system in East Sussex. Specific focus is given to economic competitiveness and growth, safety, health and security, accessibility, social inclusion, improving quality of life and tackling climate change. LTP3 set out actions to plan and provide sustainable growth and transport infrastructure in areas needing greater investment for regeneration and development, including Hastings/Bexhill, Eastbourne/South Wealden, Newhaven and Uckfield. Further priorities were set out for rural areas, villages, and market towns across East Sussex, as well as mode-specific approaches to a range of sustainable transport options. LTP3 provides high level direction for Borough and District Council’s Local Development Frameworks.

Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (2021), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Transport – Active Travel 

As the first Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for East Sussex, this document sets out a proposed network of cycling and walking routes across the county, complemented by specific measures and actions. Network maps for key growth areas such as Newhaven, Hastings and Eastbourne are developed alongside physical interventions to improve information and wayfinding around active travel.  The Plan also outlines ways for East Sussex to secure funding for active travel infrastructure improvements. The LCWIP functions as a ‘live document’, being regularly updated with opportunities to enhance existing networks and  will be updated as part of the review of the East Sussex LTP4 reflecting the importance of active travel for short or part of longer every day journeys.

Countryside Access Strategy (2016), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Transport – Access          

This strategy outlines a management approach to public rights of way and countryside sites managed by the County Council. Four strategic outcomes for this management approach are set out. They include enabling residents and visitors to safely use public rights of way, support landowners, stakeholders, and residents to exercise their rights and fulfil their responsibilities, achieving efficient and effective management for the benefit of residents, visitors, and wildlife, and enhancing local communities through engagement with public rights of way and countryside sites.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan (2007), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Transport – Rights of Way

This plan covered the period  from 2007 to 2017, with the intention of assessing the extent to which local rights of way meet the present and future needs of the public, accessibility of public rights of way for disabled people, and identifying opportunities to improve the existing network. ESCC are currently carrying out a review of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan, aiming to publish a draft for formal consultation in 2023.

Highway Asset Management Strategy (2022), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Transport - Assets

This strategy sets out the Asset Management Policy, a document outlining the Council’s commitment to infrastructure investment, and how it will be delivered. The strategy aligns Council priority outcomes with approaches to asset management. Priorities are identified around achieving good value for money, maintaining a safe and secure highway environment, carrying out local engagement to improve services through feedback, and adopting a continuous improvement approach to asset management. The East Sussex LTP4 will recognise the importance of maintaining our transport infrastructure for all users alongside delivering new infrastructure and will therefore be aligned with this strategy.

Bus Service Improvement Plan (2021), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Transport - Bus   

The Bus Service Improvement Plan provides an understanding of the current situation of bus services in the county and sets out targets and deliverables for reaching an improved, future position. The plan sets out aims to improve quality of bus provision across the County, increase the number of bus priority schemes, simplify fares and ticketing, and capitalise on technical and operational innovation in bus service provision. These measures aim to increase bus service provision in urban locations and across key travel corridors. £41m of funding (£20m capital; £21m revenue) was secured from Government to deliver the BSIP in the period up to March 2025. The East Sussex BSIP will be updated as part of the review of East Sussex LTP, alongside the inclusion of the BSIP schemes within the implementation plan and identifying links with other supporting plans. This will include the East Sussex Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan to demonstrate the importance of integrated mobility for the County.

Rail Development Strategy (2013), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Transport - Rail   

The Rail Strategy for East Sussex provided a long-term vision for rail infrastructure and service improvements to achieve improved service frequency, journey times and capacity as well as facilitating economic growth. Specific actions for improving sections of railway in East Sussex are identified including the Marshlink between Hastings and Ashford to enable high speed rail (via HS1 and Ashford) into East Sussex. This strategy will be updated as part of the review of the East Sussex LTP4 to demonstrate the strategic importance of rail as part of  the provision of integrated mobility within the County. The identified schemes  within the plan reflected in the accompanying LTP4 Implementation plan.

Communities, Economy, and Transport Portfolio Plan (2022), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Transport and Economy

This portfolio plan summarises for the Council plans to deliver its key priority outcomes – driving sustainable economic growth, keeping vulnerable people safe, helping people help themselves, and making the best use of resources now and for the future. Specific actions and measures are outlined. Previous performance (2020-2022) is analysed, and targets are set through to 2025.

Council Plan (2022), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Economy and Planning

This plan sets out the Council’s ambitions up to  2025 across its four priority outcomes – driving sustainable economic growth, keeping vulnerable people safe, helping people help themselves, and making best use of resources now and for the future. Moreover, the plan outlines the Council’s capital programme, detailing funding infrastructure and services in the year ahead 2022/23. This totals to £101.9 million, with £35.8 allocated for highways and structural maintenance, and £16.4 million towards integrated transport schemes. Further, targets and performance measures are outlined, with expected outcomes for 2025.

East Sussex Economy Recovery Plan: East Sussex Reset (2020), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Economy and Planning

The aim of this plan was to facilitate economic recovery in the post-Covid landscape, creating sustainable prosperity in all employment sectors and supporting residents to access new opportunities. While the Plan was intended to provide direction until the start of 2022, some partner updates (by key stakeholders) were undertaken as recently as February 2022. It is important to continue the precedent set by this document, as transport continues to play a vital role in supporting the local economy.

South Downs Local Plan (2019), South Downs National Park

Relationship: Economy and Planning

This Local Plan was adopted in 2019 and sets out how the National Park Authority will manage development over the next 15 years. It has been informed by a range of factors relating to the special qualities of the National Park, including landscape character, biodiversity and cultural heritage of the National Park, Neighbourhood Plans, local housing and economic needs and the impact of climate change.

Lewes Core Strategy (2016, with subsequent updates), Lewes District Council (LDC)

Relationship: Economy and Planning

This Core Strategy is Lewes District Council's central planning policy document for the Lewes district. It sets out the long-term spatial vision for the district and will guide development and change up to 2030. The LDC Local Plan is currently in the process of  being reviewed to reflect the changes in government guidance (National Planning Policy Framework 2019). LDC undertook a public consultation on the ‘Issues and Options’ to be considered as part of the development of the plan between 9 July to 3 September 2021. This considered  tackling climate change; protecting and enhancing the quality of the environment; accommodating and delivering growth; improving access to housing promoting a prosperous economy and building community wealth; creating healthy, sustainable communities with infrastructure.

Hastings Planning Strategy (2014), Hastings Borough Council (HBC)

Relationship: Economy and Planning

The Hastings Planning Strategy is the key strategic document prepared as part of the Hastings Local Plan. It provides a long-term plan to deliver regeneration and sustainable growth in the Borough up to 2028. HBC is updating its local plan to reflect the changes in government guidance (National Planning Policy Framework 2019).The draft new Local Plan will cover a 20-year period from 2019 - 39. A consultation on the draft local plan (Regulation 18)  was undertaken during February and March 2021 and contained strategic policies, focus area policies and development policies. Before it can be adopted it will be subject to an independent examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

Rother Local Plan: Core Strategy (2014), Rother District Council

Relationship: Economy and Planning

The adopted Strategy sets the overall vision for future land use and provides the framework for the scale and distribution of development up to 2028. RDC is updating its local plan to reflect the changes in government guidance (National Planning Policy Framework 2019). The delivery of a new Plan will set out policy response to the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis as well as plan for sustainable development up to 2039. A consultation on an initial draft local (Regulation 18) is proposed to be undertaken in autumn 2023. 

Eastbourne Core Strategy Local Plan (2013, with subsequent updates), Eastbourne Borough Council  (EBC)

Relationship: Economy and Planning

The Eastbourne Core Strategy Local Plan sets out the key direction and planning framework for Eastbourne. EBC is updating its local plan to reflect the changes in government guidance (National Planning Policy Framework 2019). The new Plan will look ahead to 2039 and will be the key planning document that will shape, plan, and manage growth, regeneration, and development across the Borough. An ‘Issues and Options’ consultation was undertaken in January 2020 followed by a consultation on the proposed draft ‘growth strategy’ outlining setting out the level of housing and employment growth that could be accommodated in Eastbourne.

Core Strategy Local Plan (2012, with subsequent updates), Wealden District Council (WDC)

Relationship: Economy and Planning

This Core Strategy Local Plan comprises a long-term spatial vision and strategic objectives for the Wealden District area for the period 2013 to 2027. WDC is updating its local plan to reflect the changes in government guidance (National Planning Policy Framework 2019).The new Local Plan will provide policies to ‘shape our places, plan and manage growth’ in the district and guide development over a 15 - 20 year period.

A ‘Direction of Travel’ consultation, took place between 23 November 2020 and 18th January 2021 and was the first stage in the Local Plan engagement process.

East Sussex Growth Strategy (2014), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Economy

The East Sussex Growth Strategy sets out a vision for a growing, innovative and productive Easy Sussex economy. It is focused on enabling and promoting business growth, while helping to attract the right talent to meet their needs and supporting residents in reaching their full education and employment potential. In doing so, it highlights the importance of transport in connecting people to opportunities, and businesses to employees, customers and resources. An Economic Strategy for the County is currently being developed which will replace the Growth Strategy.

East Sussex Climate Change Road Map 2022-2025 (2022), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Environment           

The roadmap sets out the size of the carbon footprint in the county, describes the science-based carbon budget needed in keeping global average temperatures below a 1.5 degrees Celsius increase above pre-industrial levels, and illustrates the options available to decarbonise homes, transport, businesses, and way of life. The hierarchy for transport is to 1) avoid the need to travel, 2) shift journeys to those that generate no or low carbon, and 3) improve carbon efficiency of transport networks and vehicles. Therefore, with decarbonisation of transport being a key objective of the LTP4, it is important that there is close alignment between these documents.

Climate Emergency Action Plan (2020), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Environment       

In response to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s requirement for change, to limit the average global temperature rise to 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels and UK requirement for net zero by 2050, the Plan covers the County Council’s corporate carbon emissions. It follows declaration of a climate emergency in 2019 and development of a county-wide carbon-budget. While the Plan covers corporate emissions and sets a target of cutting emissions by 13% per year to stay within budget, it also acknowledges the Council’s influence on transport emissions in its role as Highways Authority.

Environment Strategy (2020), East Sussex County Council         

Relationship: Environment       

The Strategy was developed by the East Sussex Environment Board, a partnership of private, public, and educational sector organisations. The purpose of the Strategy is to set out long-terms aims for transformational change and steps needed to address the urgent environmental challenges and to maximise the available opportunities, including actions for the Board to deliver in the next 1-2 years. Key challenges include climate change, natural capital, air quality, water, and resource efficiency. Key opportunities comprise clean growth, improved productivity and resilience, improved health outcomes and reduced health costs. The East Sussex LTP4 will be supporting the same if not similar opportunities, therefore there will be a requirement for a close alignment between the two documents.

Partnership Management Plan (2020), South Downs National Park

Relationship: Environment       

The Plan sets out the overarching five-year strategy for the management of the South Downs National Park. It sets out 10 outcomes: landscape and natural beauty, increasing resilience, habitats and species, arts and heritage, lifelong learning, health, and wellbeing, creating custodians, great places to live and great places to work. The East Sussex LTP4 will ensure consideration of the outcomes through policy and future scheme delivery.

Natural Capital Investment Strategy for East Sussex 2019-2024 (2019), Sussex Local Nature Partnership

Relationship: Environment

The Plan seeks to guide the Sussex Local Nature Partnership approach to directing investment in nature, across the terrestrial, coastal and marine environments, for the next 5-year period and beyond. The Strategy provides an initial strategic assessment of how best to focus effort, resources, and funds to protect and enhance the stock of natural capital assets for the benefit of nature and people. It also identifies opportunities to use a natural capital approach to deliver specific outputs as well as guidance on the steps needed to take this broad spatial strategy forward into action and outcomes on the ground.

East Sussex Whole-System Healthy Weight Plan 2021-2026 (2021), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Social and Health      

This plan seeks to increase the number of people in the county who have a healthy weight and completing recommended levels of physical activity. The plan’s focus is on both system-wide prevention and early intervention. It recognises that across the county, there is both a significant proportion of the child and adult population classified as overweight or obese, and physically inactive. The plan utilises a whole systems approach and causal mapping to identify issues and opportunities in terms of enabling healthy weights. Three priority action areas were chosen for the plan, which includes Environment, Physical Activity and Food.

Health and Social Care Plan (2020), East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Social and Health

This plan presents the key priorities for health and social care in East Sussex, developed in partnership with the county council, clinical commissioning groups, NHS trusts and foundation trusts. Key priorities include reducing health inequalities, improving support to children and young people with a focus on mental health and emotional wellbeing, integrating services within the community and improving services and support for urgent care, planned care and mental health needs. It also determines that there may be specific opportunities to utilise funding from the NHS Sustainable Development Unit to reduce the production of pollutants, including from transport.

Healthy lives, healthy people: East Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board Strategy, East Sussex County Council

Relationship: Social and Health

The East Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board’s strategy is a rolling strategy covering a period of five years, until 2027. The vision is ‘to protect and improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities in East Sussex, so that everyone has the opportunity to have a life that is as safe, healthy, happy and fulfilling as possible’. Whilst it highlights the plans for health and care services it demonstrates a strong recognition that health and wellbeing is also ‘improved by access to good jobs, transport, housing and green space as well as opportunities for lifelong learning, exercise, good nutrition and supportive networks and relationships between people and within communities.’. Therefore, it will be critical that LTP4 clearly signposts to this document.

Themes and Policy Document Matrices

Other evidence

During the consultation held in late 2022 (31 October – 09 December 2022) we received a number of additional evidence reports (by a variety of authors) and evidence of other implemented schemes. These are summarised below. These will be considered as we develop our Local Transport Plan strategy, particularly the option generation element, where policies and schemes will be considered for inclusion.

Received additional evidence summary

Liveable Communities

• Living locally
• Principles and practice
• e.g. 20-Minute Neighbouthoods, TCPA

 Active Travel   

• Cycling and walking reports - e.g. Cycling for everyone, ARUP, Sustrans
• Active travel evidence to support policy making

Bus frequencies

• Every village having a bus service at least every hour - e.g. Every village, every hour 2021 buses report, CPRE

 Design

• Designing for active travel
• Designing for healthier places
• Streets for all
• e.g. Active Design, Sports England

Economic and footfall impacts

• Evidence of how schemes have impacted on footfall and economics. - e.g. The Pedestrian Pound, Living Streets

Health and wellbeing     

• Health and wellbeing benefits of active travel - e.g. Transport, health and wellbeing, NatCen Social Research
• Health benefits and impacts of road space reallocation - e.g. Road space reallocation in Scotland: A health impact assessment, Public Health Scotland
• Health and planning - e.g. Health Impact Assessment in spatial planning, Public Health England
• Air pollution and health
• Role of transport in healthy lifestyles
• Active travel evidence to support policy making
• Tackling loneliness
• Health equity (Marmot Review) - e.g. Health Equity in England: The Marmot Review 10 Years On, The Institute of Health Equity

 Reducing dominance of traffic   

• Scheme evidence of traffic reduction through re-routing strategies (including enforcement) - e.g. Tackling Traffic Dominance in Lewes, Urban Movement (2019) 

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