Better waits at bus stops between Littlehampton and Chichester
New bus shelters have been installed at several stops on Stagecoach's Service 500 route that links Littlehampton and Chichester, part of an investment of more than £166,000 through the county council's Bus Service Improvement Programme.
The work is a partnership between West Sussex County Council, Stagecoach South and a number of parish councils along the route — Barnham and Eastergate, Aldingbourne, Oving and Yapton — which were involved in choosing locations and will take responsibility for ongoing maintenance.
- Funding: > £166,000 from West Sussex County Council's BSIP.
- Partners: West Sussex County Council, Stagecoach South, Barnham & Eastergate PC, Aldingbourne PC, Oving PC, Yapton PC.
- Service affected: Stagecoach Service 500 (Littlehampton–Chichester).
“The new shelters along the 500 route are a welcome improvement that will make a real difference to people who use the bus,”
said Councillor Erika Woodhurst‑Trueman, the council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, adding that the shelters should help make bus travel “a more attractive and convenient choice for local journeys.”
Local councils involved in selection and upkeep
The county council worked with parish councils and Stagecoach to assess safety and suitability before siting the shelters. That local input aimed to ensure stops serve the needs of residents and businesses in each community along the corridor, rather than being placed purely on technical grounds.
Nina‑Maria McMaster, Assistant Clerk for Barnham and Eastergate Parish Council, said residents were already pleased with the new facilities:
“The residents of Barnham and Eastergate and the other parishes who have received new bus shelters are absolutely delighted. The shelters have made such a difference already providing cover from the summer sun. The winter will be so much more comfortable for so many.”
What this means for people in Chichester
For people in and around Chichester, the additional shelters are a practical improvement. Covered, well‑lit stops can make waiting for buses cleaner, safer and more comfortable — important factors for persuading occasional drivers to try public transport for local trips. The parish councils' role in maintenance should also help keep shelters in good condition and responsive to local concerns.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | West Sussex Bus Service Improvement Programme |
| Amount | £166,000+ |
| Route | Stagecoach Service 500 (Littlehampton – Chichester) |
County councillors say the shelter project is one strand in a wider ambition to improve bus infrastructure across West Sussex. For Chichester residents, the immediate effect should be more comfortable journeys and a visible sign that local transport is being invested in after years when many commuters have relied on cars.
Where next for the network will depend on take‑up and continued co‑operation between the county, operators and parish councils. In the meantime, passengers along the 500 route have something tangible to show for the BSIP funding — a drier seat and a better place to wait.
