Bus-users left out in the cold for another winter
Thursday, 1st October 2009.
An elderly couple who took their fight for a shelter at their local bus stop to a council meeting came away with some hope that it might be installed next year.
But Frank and Joan Wright, both 84, also heard there were objections to the idea from some of their neighbours in Shetland Road, Haverhill, who thought it would attract vandals and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Wright told members of Haverhill Town Council he had a petition of 50 or 60 people in favour of the shelter, to protect people at the bus stop, which he described as being 'in a field' in Shetland Road.
He wanted something done before bus-users had to endure another cold winter.
He was told a shelter had been considered last year but one of the four closest residents consulted had objected quite strongly, so the money was taken out of the council budget.
Members agreed to back the idea in principle and re-instate it on the 'wish list' for next year, but warned they had to take account of residents' objections.
Town clerk Gordon Mussett explained a bus shelter would cost around £3,500.
Councillor Pat Hanlon said when they had been asked by nearby residents to move the bus stop from its previous position, they had purposely put it in the field where a bus shelter would go.
"I can see no problem putting the shelter there," he said. "There are a lot of elderly people there and they do need a bus shelter."
Mr Wright said the area around the bus stop became a marsh when it rained, and Mrs Wright said it was the coldest place in Shetland Road.
But Councillor Karen Richardson said some residents were uncomfortable with a shelter.
She said: "I have no problem with it but it must if the majority request it, not the minority."
Objections were that buses stopped and waited there with engines running at 6am, and that a shelter might attract undesirables.
But Mr Mussett said there was no record from the police of vandalism in the area.
But Frank and Joan Wright, both 84, also heard there were objections to the idea from some of their neighbours in Shetland Road, Haverhill, who thought it would attract vandals and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Wright told members of Haverhill Town Council he had a petition of 50 or 60 people in favour of the shelter, to protect people at the bus stop, which he described as being 'in a field' in Shetland Road.
He wanted something done before bus-users had to endure another cold winter.
He was told a shelter had been considered last year but one of the four closest residents consulted had objected quite strongly, so the money was taken out of the council budget.
Members agreed to back the idea in principle and re-instate it on the 'wish list' for next year, but warned they had to take account of residents' objections.
Town clerk Gordon Mussett explained a bus shelter would cost around £3,500.
Councillor Pat Hanlon said when they had been asked by nearby residents to move the bus stop from its previous position, they had purposely put it in the field where a bus shelter would go.
"I can see no problem putting the shelter there," he said. "There are a lot of elderly people there and they do need a bus shelter."
Mr Wright said the area around the bus stop became a marsh when it rained, and Mrs Wright said it was the coldest place in Shetland Road.
But Councillor Karen Richardson said some residents were uncomfortable with a shelter.
She said: "I have no problem with it but it must if the majority request it, not the minority."
Objections were that buses stopped and waited there with engines running at 6am, and that a shelter might attract undesirables.
But Mr Mussett said there was no record from the police of vandalism in the area.
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