New Plympton bus shelters 'are just not good enough in this weather'

Residents in Plympton have voiced strong concerns over a newly installed bus shelter, claiming it does no longer protect passengers from the wind, rain and passing lorries as it is open to the elements.

The new shelter has been installed on Glen Road, near Edwards Drive and Bellingham Crescent. But locals claim they are not providing dequate protection from the elements.

They say the short canopy and limited side panels leave them exposed to rain and wind, especially when lorries pass causing spray. Jillian Oxley, frequent user of the Glen Road bus stops, said: “Myself and others we’re happy with the previous shelters, and now the new shelters barely keep us dry.

"Many of us use these buses every day, and this just isn’t good enough. We feel overlooked by the council. Where was the local consultation with residents.”

Local ward representative for Plympton Chaddlewood Councillor Ian Poyser, Green Party supports the residents’ calls for improvements to the shelters and said: “Our community deserves functional and comfortable bus shelters, especially in high-traffic areas like Glen Road where we have high volumes of HGV traffic. I’m working closely with residents. I urge the council to quickly put right the mistakes and provide effective protection from the weather.”

“This isn't the only mistake the council has made in Chaddlewood. We have also received a significant number of requests to reinstate a bus shelter at the junction with Redwood Drive, Glen Road. This is the main bus stop for a large residential area. There must be issues elsewhere across the city”

Residents and Councillor Poyser say they are hopeful that their concerns will prompt action from the council, resulting in improvements that meet the standards required by local bus users.

A Plymouth City Council spokesperson said: "Councillor Poyser has already been in touch with our public transport team about his concerns and they have responded.

"The previous bus shelters near Edwards Drive and Bellingham Crescent were also open-fronted so we would suggest that waiting passengers are no more affected by spray from passing lorries now than they were before.

"The Edwards Drive shelter has panels on both ends. One end panel is wider than before - because Clear Channel’s are wider than the previous shelter provider’s - but the other is slightly narrower, because it no longer includes an advertising unit. Advertising is a decision for the provider.

"The Bellingham Crescent shelter does only have one panel and we are in discussions with Clear Channel about adding one at the other end over the next few months as part of the final phases of the bus shelter replacement programme.

"The shelter at the junction of Glen Road and Redwood Drive was permanently removed as part of the overall reduction in shelter numbers. This was based on low use, which was not unexpected given this is an outbound stop almost at the end of the route.

"However, we have added the request for a replacement to a list for future consideration, funding allowing, should passenger demand and/or bus routes change."

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