Brighton homeless bus told to move for the marathon

Sussex Homeless Support has two converted buses in Madeira Drive on Brighton seafront.

They provide shelter, food and warmth for 12 homeless people.

But the charity was told it must move from the seafront as 12,000 runners descend on the area for this weekend’s marathon.

Jim Deans, from the charity, blasted Brighton and Hove City Council for trying to “camouflage” homelessness.

He said: “It’s not a case or being wanted it’s a case of being needed.

“The council don’t want the marathon runners to see the buses – they don’t want to see homeless.

“They don’t want those thousands of people to see the fact we have a homeless crisis.

“In that case, why don’t they throw some Army-style camouflage netting over the buses instead?”

Mr Deans said he would like to move from the spot permanently, but the location would have to be suitable.

He said the charity had agreed to move for the event, but all the locations he had proposed to move to had been turned down.

These included the King Alfred Car Park, the School Road area in Hove and Wild Park in Moulsecoomb.

They also suggested moving to the Peace Statue on Hove Lawns, which is where they went during the last Brighton Marathon.

But work is currently taking place in the area meaning that is not feasible.

Mr Deans said: “We would have moved, in fact we would like to move – during the marathon we have 20,000 people using our toilets.

“Everyone in the city has been so supportive and trying to help.

“But it seems like council staff, not councillors, are trying to be as obstructive as possible.”

The buses provide

shelter for two women and ten men.

They offer facilities and comforts for people who might otherwise be sleeping rough on the streets.

There is a television, 24-hour tea and coffee and hot food available.

People can also visit the buses in case of emergency.

Brighton and Hove City Council was contacted for a comment but had not responded as The Argus went to press.