Minding the gap: Sussex transport and transparency

If you've ever tried to get from Chichester to Hastings without losing the will to live (with or without a car), you’ll know Sussex’s transport system is not built for speed.

But many are hoping that a directly elected mayor could finally join the dots.

🎧 In the Sussex And The City podcast, Richard Freeman meets Paul Bromley - journalist, rail expert and local transport oracle - for a deep dive into how Sussex moves, or doesn’t.

“It’s not about how many stations we have – it’s whether people can actually get to them.”

Paul explains why a Sussex Mayor will have powers that no one in the region has ever had: from coordinating bus and road networks to taking a seat at the table on rail development.

🚌 Why Sussex can’t fix transport alone

Transport is tangled. National government sets some fares, private companies run the services, and councils handle planning. That’s why the new mayor will be required to create an integrated transport plan – a “quick win,” says Paul, but the hard work will come in delivering it across multiple fractured systems.

🚲 More buses, less Beeching

From reinstating north-south rail routes to learning from Manchester’s Bee Network, the conversation covers the legacy of Dr Beeching, local congestion, and the need to stop pitting buses against bikes or roads against rails.

📰 Devolution needs scrutiny

As a veteran of local media, Paul also makes the case for a Sussex-wide resurgence in journalism. Without better scrutiny, he says, mayoral power could risk going unchecked. “A mayor needs to be more than a ribbon-cutter. They need to deliver – and be held to account.”

🎙️ Plus, Sussex wine, media history, community rail partnerships, and why Worthing has five train stations on one line.

“Transport should not be seen in isolation,” says Paul. “It’s the thread that connects economic growth, climate targets, housing, planning and wellbeing.”

So will a mayor fix it? That might depend on three things: funding, funding, and, erm, funding.

>> Listen to the full episode here

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Morgan Sindall, one of the UK’s leading construction and regeneration groups, with a growing footprint across Sussex. From education and healthcare facilities to urban regeneration and housing infrastructure, their work touches every corner of public life.

In Sussex, Morgan Sindall Construction has delivered major schemes including the multi-million-pound Innovation Centre at University of Sussex, and key improvements to school estates across Brighton & Hove and West Sussex. They bring deep expertise in sustainable construction, digital engineering, and social value - ensuring projects not only meet technical standards but also benefit local communities.

A key part of Morgan Sindall’s approach is local supply chain investment and creating employment pathways for young people. They partner with colleges, councils, and charities to offer apprenticeships, skills taster sessions, and community-led consultation.

Whether it’s reshaping town centres or delivering the next generation of learning environments, Morgan Sindall is helping to build a greener, fairer Sussex.

To find out more, visit morgansindall.com.

Would you like to go deeper into devolution?

There are lots of ways to get involved with the Sussex And The City project as it develops.

Answer these three questions (takes 2 minutes) and we'll get back to you 👇

Listen to all podcasts >> HERE

This is a collaborative project.

Co-funded, supported and developed by leading Sussex businesses.

The Sussex And The City 100 are an evolving cross sector group of leadership organisations, invested in the future of Sussex and Brighton.

Will you join us?

Been forwarded this email or reading it online? SUBSCRIBE.