Bus journeys could be quicker if improvements are made to a major coastal route.

Plans for dedicated bus lanes on the A259 Bexhill Road as part of improvements to the Bexhill to Hastings Link Road are being consulted on by East Sussex County Council.

Traffic levels on the notoriously congested A259 are expected to fall by about 40 per cent as motorists divert to the new road.

Under the plans five new sections of bus lane would open in May 2015.

The new lanes, between Glyne Gap roundabout and Filsham Road, will be accompanied upgraded bus stops including new shelters, raised kerbs and real time passenger information signs.

The improvements are a requirement of planning permission for the Link Road and a condition of the Department for Transport's funding contribution.

Councillor Carl Maynard, lead member for transport and environment, said: “The new bus lanes, along with the improvements to bus stops, will result in a vastly improved experience for existing bus passengers and hopefully encourage more people to use public transport.”

A consultation runs from January 31 to February 28.

More information, including the consultation questionnaire, will be available from January 31 online at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay.

The public exhibitions will be held on January 31 from 2pm to 7pm and February 1 from 10am to 2pm at West St Leonards Community Centre, in Bexhill Road.