664 Eugenius Birch
Names on the buses
Connections with Brighton and Hove : This great Victorian engineer and designer has left Brighton with two lasting examples of his work. The West Pier, built in 1866 and completed in stages up to 1916, was designed by Birch opposite Regency Square despite opposition from neighbours. It has been described as the finest pleasure pier ever built and is one or only two to have been granted Grade I listed status. Sadly the pier closed to the public in 1975 and although planning permission has been granted for its restoration, there have been legal hold ups to the work. Birch also built the Aquarium in 1871. It was then the largest in the world. Today it is the Sea Life Centre. He designed a number of piers in other parts of England including one at Margate (now demolished) and the north pier at Blackpool.
664 Scania Omnidekka in March 2015. Bus sold October 2016. Name previously on bus 842 Dennis Trident. Reappeared on Volvo Gemini 418 in March 2017.