A27 Bus Link

A new Brighton by-passing route between Worthing and Eastbourne.

Staring at Wothing Pier, the route would follow 23/23X, joining the A27 at Broadwater.

Running non-stop the first stop would be Lyons Farm Sainsbury's, linking to 7 again and route 16. Joining the Upper Brighton Road once again it would hoped for some provision to be made at North Lancing for buses to stop in or around the Hillbarn Parade area. Alternatively for buses use Manor Road to the east of the area.

After joining route 9 at North Lancing Leisure Centre we run all stops to Shoreham Red Lion via the flyover.

Double running, the route rejoins the A27 at the Flyover and heads non-stop to West Hove Sainsbury's. It would be hoped later for provision to be created at Holmbush Centre for buses to stop off of A27 in the layby westbound and new layby and footbridge on the Eastbound. This is because of the road layout no allowing buses to rejoin the A27 here.

Again along A27, to Patcham - it would be possible to serve Mill Lane (with new stops) with a single deck bus. But this would be questionable at best due to the risk of mistake and Park & Ride on football days.

Better would be buses running straight to Hollingbury ASDA for connection with route 5B, 24, 26 & 52 and Hollingbury & Coldean more generally.

Next comes Falmer Station for the University, where we join Regency services, serving Falmer Village and all stops to Lewes. Missing Waitrose buses could stop at Phoenix Causeway (Eastbound) before carrying on to Southerham via Cuilfail Tunnel. Westbound using School Hill Bottom as expected.

Serving Ramscombe Lane (Eastbound), buses would run the length of A27 (calling in at Middle Farm too) all the way to Drusillas Roundabout.

Serving Drusillas Zoo on daytime journeys, buses would continue to Polegate St George's Church before the final run down to Eastbourne via EDGH, another useful connection with vast new development. Limited stop (like 11X) could be looked at here to avoid overbussing.

At speed and with suitable alteration, it may be possible to include Alfriston, Wick Street (Firle Gates) and others.

Buses would terminate and restart in Eastbourne similar to Route 28 and 500. The return journey would be similar.

Timetable

A simple 30 minute frequency would be a good stating point when you consider city express routes have at least double that. Hourly initially could work but be too little for the villages along the route, which are already used to these smaller frequencies.

23X and 273 have both shown that a combined fast and slow service could achieve ta compromise on an A road connection. Removing EDGH, Drusillas (and Alfriston), Middle Farm, Falmer Village, North Lancing and Lyons Farm could make a very speedy and attractive route for those that are really limited and better follows the A27 true.

Given the Length of the route, there may need to be a 'Guaranteed Connection' at Lewes or Hollingbury. With the destination shown as such. A journey time of between 70 minutes to well over two hours depending on the time of day.

Funding

The biggest incentive by far is the £3 single fare. A massive saving on the train. However its unclear what happens after the middle of 2027. Then again, depending on operator the Bus pass area many be suitably exteded for further over the week saving.

Operation could be taken on by any of the four main operators, they all have double deck buses (Compass, Stagecoach and Metrobus have single buses too) and all have routes in at least two areas served.

Much of this falls to the future mayor or combined unitary authorities. Not serving Brighton directly maybe a hindrance to funding but this is the point of the route.

Route 500 has shown what can be achieved with the combination of council funding, supportive operators and marketing can do.

There is some skepticism over the viability of such a service, especially if you factor in the number of accidents on this section but again, taking the bus reduces the risk, even by a little.

Round over

So, that's the idea - A new route from one side to the other, quicker and with a good USP. Will the links it provides, the low cost and following on from other orbital city successes on one of the most consequential routes in the south, become the strongest link?