Herstmonceux Transport Access Group

As per the vision and aims of the Herstmonceux Neighbourhood Plan, Herstmonceux Parish Council support the aims of the Herstmonceux Transport Access Group (HTAG) and their dedication to improve the public transport infrastructure to our Parish.

The management and activities of the Herstmonceux Transport Access Group are independent of the Herstmonceux Parish Council. The Parish Council, will however, assist where is practicably possible and appropriate.

Herstmonceux Parish Council hold no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the information within the HTAG documents attached below.

Any reliance you place on the accuracy of this information is strictly at your own risk.

Herstmonceux Parish Council are not party to, or responsible for, any personal details or other information that may be forwarded to HTAG by an individual or business, as a result of accessing this material on the Parish Council website.

Please note that although the Parish Council support the work of the HTAG in principle, they have no responsibility or say in the use or storing of data collected.

AN INTRODUCTION TO H-TAG - BY HERSTMONCEUX TRANSPORT ACCESS GROUP

The Herstmonceux Transport Access Group, or H-TAG for short, has been formed by 3VA and volunteers from our Parish, along with the help of The Wealden Bus Alliance, to see if we can tackle the transport problems in Herstmonceux. We are aiming to find a practical, local solution to make life easier for Herstmonceux residents, young and old!

Rural transport is a national problem and public transport to and from Herstmonceux is restrictive and not always convenient. The 98 bus service operates from the village and goes to either Hastings or Eastbourne. The first bus of the day leaves at 7 a.m. for Eastbourne with the last bus arriving back in the village at 7 p.m. enroute to Hastings. It is an hourly service, is subject to cancellations and it does not operate on a Sunday. In Hailsham there is a link to an extensive local bus service that takes passengers to Eastbourne, Uckfield, Polegate, Heathfield, Tunbridge Wells and beyond.

However, the isolation of the residents, especially the elderly, and timings of the 98 bus mean that residents have to use cars to get to work, hospital visits, go shopping and access local railway stations. The alternative is to use costly taxi services. This may also mean that some people drive when perhaps they should not and residents, particularly the younger ones cannot use public transport to get to places of employment or study.

Our initial thoughts are to provide a regular shuttle bus service into Hailsham and return. This service would supplement the 98 bus service and give passengers the opportunity to catch other services for their onward journey – and get them back to Herstmonceux at more convenient times.

A survey was carried out some time ago ask the Parish about their transport needs, further funding has since been sought to take this forward. A grant of £10,000 has been obtained and a researcher chosen. He will be looking at public transport and other forms of transport such as cycling and walking. He will also be contacting organisations within the Parish. He will be looking at isolation and other concerns where lack of transport is an issue.

A more comprehensive survey will now be carried out mid- January 2020 with a public meeting being arranged following the results.

A WORD FROM THE HTAG CHAIR

This brochure contains information about the birth of this important community organisation who are working to improve the transport links to our Parish communities and those neighbouring us.

The information leaflet offers some background information, activities undertaken so far and the future vision.