What Can You Do?

The April 2025 expansion of Stagecoach bus services appears to have overlooked the combined environmental and public-health impacts of sending over 200 buses daily through The Street and Ash Lane. The issue isn’t opposition to buses, but concern that increases of this scale should include proper assessment of noise, vibration, air quality, and effects on residents. The aim is for local authorities and Stagecoach to work together to balance a reliable bus service with protecting the wellbeing of the community.

What Can You Do?

If you believe that the volume of buses or the associated noise, vibration, and pollution in Rustington is affecting you adversely, you can submit a complaint to WSCC by emailing: wscchighways@westsussex.gov.uk

You may also wish to contact the following:

• Joy.Dennis@westsussex.gov.uk - Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport
• alison.griffiths.mp@parliament.uk - Member of Parliament for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
• customer.services@stagecoachbus.com

Sample Complaint Letter 

Subject: Request for review of cumulative bus traffic impacts on The Street / Ash Lane corridor

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to formally raise concerns regarding the level and frequency of bus movements along The Street and Ash Lane, and to request that the County Council undertakes a review of the suitability and impacts of this corridor under its transport and environmental responsibilities.

The West Sussex Transport Plan (2022–2036), published by West Sussex County Council, identifies a clear objective to avoid where possible and minimise air, noise and light pollution from use of the transport network, in order to reduce impacts on public health and wellbeing. I consider that the current level and pattern of bus activity is inconsistent with this objective when assessed cumulatively.

In particular, the corridor is subject not only to a high overall frequency of bus movements, but also to operational clustering at the timing stop, where multiple routes converge. At peak periods, up to four separate routes utilise the same stopping point in close succession, resulting in repeated stationary engine noise, braking and acceleration events, and prolonged periods of disturbance in a confined residential setting.

This gives rise to the following impacts:

• Significant cumulative noise from both moving and stationary buses
• Repeated disturbance associated with buses idling or waiting at the timing stop
• Increased vibration and environmental stress due to frequent heavy vehicle movements
• Potential safety concerns arising from bus clustering in a narrow corridor
• Possible localised air quality impacts associated with repeated acceleration and idling

While I recognise that bus operators such as Stagecoach Group operate services on a commercial basis within the Enhanced Partnership framework, the cumulative impact of multiple routes converging at a single residential location remains a matter for consideration by the highway authority.

I would therefore request that the Council:

1. Reviews whether The Street / Ash Lane is a suitable corridor for the current combined level of bus services
2. Assesses the cumulative environmental impact of both through-running and timing-stop operations, including clustering of up to four routes
3. Considers whether alternative timing stop arrangements or route coordination could reduce concentrated disturbance
4. Reviews whether alternative routing or redistribution of services could reduce residential exposure without compromising network connectivity
5. Clarifies what mechanisms are available under the Enhanced Partnership or Traffic Regulation Order powers to address cumulative impacts of this nature

Given the Council’s statutory responsibilities for highway management and its stated commitment to improving environmental outcomes, I would welcome a formal response outlining what assessment, if any, has been undertaken in relation to this corridor and whether a review will be initiated.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name]