Transport Group, Author at Eastbourne ECO Action Network

Bigger Better Bus and Cycle schemes ?

Eco-Action Transport Group have always said, that to meet the 2030 carbon target, there needs to be a modal shift away from cars and towards bus and cycling. That means re-allocating space, changing priorities and spending money.

However the Government has threatened, that funding for active travel schemes, would only be provided to councils, who have a good track record of delivering. This has the consequence that East Sussex County Council (ESCC) have recently struggled to get funding. One exception is £41M for bus improvements, though the detailed plans will need to be signed off by Department for Transport (DfT).

Recent unsuccessful bids include elements of the “Hailsham to Eastbourne Corridor” along A22/A2270, and pedestrian access in the Eastbourne Town Centre Phase 2A. Likewise the latest Active Travel ‘Covid’ funding allocated ESCC nothing,

For walking and cycling the DfT will only support schemes that comply with design guidance (LTN 1/20). They are not able to support schemes with any of the below elements:-

- - Shared use paths
  - Lack of protection at junctions
  - Cycle tracks in locations where they may not be well-used
  - Poor value for money
  - Not forming part of a coherent wider network

East Sussex County Council have contacted the DfT to discuss their failure to get funds and to get guidance for future bids specifically for cycling and walking schemes.

So what does this mean ? Both East Sussex and Eastbourne Councils believe in consultation and balancing all the various stakeholders. That has meant compromises have had to be made in terms of space allocated to bus and cycle schemes. Campaigners are of the opinion that cycling provision in the town has actually become worse.

If future schemes are to be funded then they need to meet the criteria and as the DfT state ‘Paint on the road is no longer enough‘. The danger is, in order not to upset the car lobby, then nothing will be built. With the projection of 25% more traffic locally by 2039 this can only lead to gridlock at peak times. Plus an increase in the carbon footprint which would seriously undermine the delivery of a Carbon Neutral Eastbourne by 2030, as mandated unanimously by all Eastbourne councillors.

Paul Humphreys – Cycle East Sussex

Refuse Collection Vehicles to use new fuel

Government and Industry are looking for transport solutions to reduce climate change. Although electric and hydrogen vehicles are being developed, there is a push for ‘drop-in’ fuels, using diesel engines, but with a lower carbon footprint.

One of these products is Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). This will be the preferred short term solution for most of Eastbourne Borough Council’s larger vehicles. In their report “Vehicle Replacement Strategy May 2022” they write

- “We have no option but to consider … HVO …. which is not done lightly but from a position of no immediate alternative option.
- “Engines and vehicles with this renewable fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 90%, NOx emissions by as much as 27% and Particle Matter emissions by as much as 84%,compared with conventional diesel.”
- “The timetable proposed includes a move to electric vehicles for food waste collections by 2025 in tandem with the installation of charging infrastructure at the Courtlands Road depot, while HVO will be used during the interim period, prior to the running of a zero emission fleet in 2030.”

If HVO can be sourced sustainably then there is a case to consider it. So why the concern? – Most HVO uses farm land and the carbon footprint varies by crop and process and if supplies become harder to locate, then the cheap and common source is palm oil. In Sweden, HVO is reportedly 50% palm oil. Its manufacture in Malaysia is considered harmful to the environment and linked to deforestation and pressure on land use. Plus there is the impact of transporting it to the UK.

Horsham Council have moved to HVO and they report “We are working with one of the UK’s largest suppliers, Certas Energy, who have provided us with a certificate confirmation of sustainability and calculated that the switch to HVO should reduce our carbon emissions by up to 90%”. This will be the same for Eastbourne.

In contrast other Councils, such as Oxford have moved their fleet to electric vehicles. Range can be an issue and there is a need for large or ‘swap-out’ batteries and Ultra Rapid charging.

In summary HVO is not ideal and EBC should move to electric, as soon as practical, to help meet their 2030 carbon target.

Paul Humphreys – Eco Action Transport Group