Bus stop and shelter plan going for consultation (From Free Press Series)

Bus stop and shelter plan going for consultation

REVISED plans for a controversial bus stop on Longfellow Road in Caldicot, which is hoped to be implemented this year, will soon go out for consultation.

Two years ago plans for a shelter and bus stop came under fire from local and residents of a sheltered home, who claimed had not been consulted.

The road was marked ready for the facilities to be installed, residents living next to the bus stop were up in arms, coming out of their homes and refusing to let the workmen proceed.

"After about half-an-hour, of arguing the workmen left and the material was left on the roadside for a few months," said Cwrt Severn residential home resident Ian Phillips. "It was only removed after Cllr Harris made an official complaint because the place looked a mess.

"We didn't ask for the bus shelter, in fact, we didn't know we were going to get one, but when we did, most people living in Cwrt Severn thought it was a great idea, because they could get on and off of the buses easily.

"So they were very disappointed when the other side was not done."

Mr Phillips says that many residents have agreed a compromise, and ask only for the pavement to be raised on the other side of the road to make access to buses easier for them.

Jean Matthews, who lives next to the bus stop, said: "They (the council) were going to put a great big island in the road to put a bus shelter on, it would have made this part one-way and difficult for traffic to pass.

"I have no objection to them raising the pavement from the bus stop up to my gate, but I don't want the rest of the pavement raised."

Clive Campbell, transport and projects manager at MCC, said: "We have got a better approach for consultation and have had a request to visit the site.

"The original proposal cannot be put in place and new plans will go out to consultation and will hopefully be done this year.

"We have got the money, the only thing to hold it up is opposition. We will try and reach a compromise and where there is an objection, we will report back to the cabinet member."

Cllr Jim Harris said: "Someone from the council needs to get the people (Cwrt Severn residents and local residents) together to sort this situation out. Everyone has got different needs and aspirations and we need to find a solution that will suit everyone."