Brighton bus campaigners told no cash for 52 (From The Argus)

Brighton bus campaigners told no cash for 52

11:04am Friday 26th October 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

Bus campaigners have been told there is “no funding at this time” to restore a cut service.

Dozens of people took their fight to restore the direct 52 from Ovingdean to Brighton city centre to Brighton and Hove City Council’s full council meeting last night (October 25).

The local authority said Government cuts meant it only had enough money to fund a route from Ovingdean to Brighton Marina.

Among the campaigners was 14-year-old Cardinal Newman pupil Anelica Tsapparelli who claimed the replacement – which means people have to change for ongoing services at Brighton Marina – meant she had to run across bus roads to arrive at school on time.

Hit hard

Ovingdean resident Steve Wedd said: “We know that money is tight at present, and that the council has to find savings wherever it can.

“However, it appears that only Ovingdean has borne the full impact of those savings.

“Residents who gave up their private cars to choose to use the bus are now buying them back, because they cannot get to work on time.”

Mr Wedd claimed the decision affects 152 Cardinal Newman pupils and 36 at Bhasvic, as well as commuters and pensioners.

Conservative councillor Graham Cox said the decision was an “attack on a church school”.

Coun Cox said: “If the Greens think opposition is a position of luxury then perhaps they should all resign and we can get people who are willing to take the difficult decisions instead of blaming everyone else.”

In replying, council leader Jason Kitcat said: “I absolutely refute those comments, they are utterly inappropriate. I completely reject them and think they bring this chamber into disrepute.”

He added: “There’s no further funding at this time. When this matter returns I hope for a reasoned debate rather than pretending there’s money it isn’t.”

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