A BUS firm has said new survey data shows a controversial bus lane on a coastal road is making a crucial contribution to cutting congestion.

Brighton and Hove Buses managing director Martin Harris said: “To say that it’s the bus lane that’s causing congestion on the A259 is misguided.

“In a survey we’ve just done, we discovered almost half of the people travelling into the city are doing so in just two per cent of the vehicles – that is on board buses.

“In other words, the bus lane taking up half the westbound carriageway carries half the people.”