Buses 'disturbing the quality of life' on estate

The frequency of buses going through an estate in West Sussex has been disturbing the sleep of some residents who say their street has become a "fast highway".

Three Metrobus services run through Calvert Link in Kilnwood Vale, including two which go to Gatwick Airport.

A group of residents told the BBC up to 400 buses were passing through each day rather than the intended 150 or so, with Andrea Gaielli claiming the frequency, particularly of the number 10, was "disturbing the quality of life".

Metrobus said Kilnwood Vale was "a growing community" and the services provide "important connections to Crawley, Manor Royal and Gatwick" which give residents an alternative to car travel.

Stuart Ralph said the estate was initially quiet when he moved in 11 years ago, but now, his young daughter is struggling to sleep.

"It's pretty much escalated into a fast highway with 400 buses going from Crawley to Horsham, past my front door, which is less than five metres away," he said.

Gaielli, who has lived on the estate for a couple of years, said his sleep was not "directly impacted" but only because of the direction his house faces.

He said: "Think about [the] people who sleep close to the bus route who are kept awake, essentially all night, because bus 10 kicks in at three in the morning and finishes at midnight."

Residents Andy Marits and Terence Nadin are among who say their sleep is disturbed.

Marits described the situation as a "nightmare" and said his wife, who has moved to their spare room, is now "sleeping with earplugs in and a pillow over her head".

Nadin said he has had to add some "secondary glazing" on his bedroom window to improve his sleep quality.

"Before I didn't have a problem, when the original bus was coming through every half hour... I heard it, but you were able to get over that," he added.

However, some Calvert Link residents see the merit in having a frequent bus service.

Elizabeth Allen described the number 10 bus service as a "blessing".

She said: "It gives me safe travel at almost any time I want. If I go into London, for example, and come back as a single person, travelling at 11 at night, I know I'm perfectly safe.

"So we have to balance that convenience and safety against perhaps a little bit of inconvenience from time to time."

She acknowledged that those living very near bus stops may see things very differently.

Another resident, Anne Baker, also sees the frequency of service as a positive.

She argued that the development "has been sold as somewhere that is close to Gatwick, so the whole thing is geared towards people being able to get there".

The residents who are against the frequency of service said it exceeds the level promised in the section 106 planning agreement struck when the estate, which remains unadopted, was built.

Ralph, who insisted the campaign was not about "stopping public transport" but ensuring planning commitments were "honoured", said the frequency shot up without residents' knowledge.

Matt Ashton, managing director of Brighton & Hove and Metrobus, said: "We recognise the concerns raised by some residents and have engaged with them through meetings, calls and correspondence.

"Services are planned in conjunction with a range of stakeholders, including Crest Nicholson, the lead developer.

"The Section 106 agreement sets minimum service requirements rather than a maximum level of provision, enabling services to respond to passenger demand."

A Crest Nicholson spokesperson said: "Crest Nicholson does not determine or control the frequency of bus services operating through Kilnwood Vale.

"We have met all of our obligations in relation to bus services at the development."

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