THE recent bus collision in North Street, following an unfortunate crash with a car in Avis Road in Newhaven, has highlighted in my mind the increased pressures felt by bus drivers.

I have recently had some frankly alarming journeys on the 28/9 route to Tunbridge Wells using the notorious A26, and also on the 271/3 routes operating to Crawley, which use part of the M23.

In all cases, the buses were being driven at points close to their maximum speed (I understand) of 55mph where a limiter should cut in. None of the buses – both single and double-decker – were fitted with seat-belts, and on the few services I have been on where the vehicles were so fitted, there was never any instruction to use them.

The effects of the illness suffered by the driver in North Street, had he been operating on the 28/9 route or on the 12X express service to Eastbourne, does not bear thinking about. With the advent of free bus travel for older people, passenger injuries from a serious accident could be fatal.

The loadings on the 12X on last Saturday afternoon were such that several passengers were forced to stand for the journey, something that apparently the new Coaster fleet have been deliberately designed to encourage, with wider passageways.

I appeal to the new MP for Lewes to consider this when she tries to get better rail services back for the Lewes area.

Trains have a fantastic passenger safety record in recent years and the reintroduction of rail services directly from Brighton and Eastbourne via Uckfield to the Tunbridge Wells area – and by implementation of the Arun Curve to Horsham and Crawley in the case of West Sussex – would avoid the kind of pressures that accelerated bus services are bound to lead to.

I would rather travel in comfort by train than be bucketed along dangerous roads by drivers desperate to adhere to schedules for fear of losing their pay.

Bob Brown, Ringmer Road, Seaford