#23: Minding The Gap - Sussex Transport And Transparency

The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Episode 23:

Minding The Gap - Sussex Transport And Transparency

Host: Richard Freeman
Guest: Paul Bromley - Community Rail Line Officer, Southeast Communities Rail Partnership

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🔍 Episode summary

In this episode, Richard speaks with Paul Bromley, former political journalist, local newspaper editor, and now a leading voice in community rail and sustainable transport.

From Brighton to Bognor, Hastings to Haywards Heath – Sussex's transport network is both its greatest enabler and its biggest frustration. Paul unpacks what a Sussex Mayor could actually do to fix the tangle of private operators, bus companies, and disjointed infrastructure, and how new devolution powers could transform how we move around the region.

They also discuss the collapse of local journalism, the decline of regional scrutiny, and whether a new mayoral structure could spark a renaissance in accountability media across Sussex.

This is an episode about Minding The Gap - Sussex Transport And Transparency – from trains and timetables to truth and trust.

 

This episode is brought to you in partnership with:

Morgan Sindall Construction – one of the UK's leading construction and regeneration groups with a growing footprint across Sussex.

From education and healthcare to urban regeneration and sustainable housing, Morgan Sindall is building a greener, fairer Sussex. The company invests in local supply chains, creates jobs and apprenticeships, and partners with councils and colleges to deliver community benefit on every project.

👉 morgansindall.com

 

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🎯 Why this matters

"A Sussex Mayor will only work if they can achieve three things – funding, funding and funding."

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🧠 Topics covered include:

• How a Sussex Mayor could bring buses, trains and roads under one joined-up plan
• Why end-to-end journeys – not just station-to-station – are key to sustainable travel
• Lessons from Andy Burnham's Manchester model and its B Network
• The opportunities and risks of rail nationalisation in 2026
• How transport links drive local growth, climate action, and tourism
• The urgent need for local transport expertise and investment in regional skills
• Why local journalism matters – and how devolution could bring back accountability

"It's not about Brighton versus East Sussex or West Sussex – it's about seeing Sussex as a whole."

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📚 Further reading and references

South East Communities Rail Partnership

Greater Manchester B Network

Office of Rail and Road – Passenger Statistics