Frustration over bus stop that buses can't use

CASHSTRAPPED North Somerset Council has spent thousands on installing a new bus stop in Nailsea – which the local bus can't use.

The authority has spent around £3,000 on installing the new stop at Silver Street – just 50 yards away from the existing stop.

New dropped kerbs have been installed and a new pavement created to make it more accessible to passengers.

But because of its location, the local bus service which runs around Nailsea every hour and is operated by North Somerset Coaches, cannot use it.

The Nailsea bus comes along Beechwood Road to the junction of Silver Street.

But as the junction is opposite the new stop, buses do not have enough space in the road to turn and stop there.

The only service which will be collecting passengers at the new stop is the 362 hourly service to Clevedon.

Pensioner and bus user Bob Fry said he is disgusted that the authority – currently faced with slashing £47 million from its budgets – has spent thousands of pounds on a bus stop many passengers can't use.

Instead passengers, many who are elderly and live at the adjacent Moorfields Court elderly people's bungalows, have to wait at the existing bus stop where the pavement is just a metre wide to pick up the Nailsea service.

Retired Mr Fry, also known as 'Bob the Hat', has raised his complaints with the council.

Mr Fry, 66, of Moorfield Court, said: "The council has put a new bus stop in with raised kerbs. But the only bus that can use it is the 362 service.

"The Nailsea bus, which is used by lots of people around here, does not have the space in the road to turn in time to get to the stop,

"I think it's ridiculous that the council has spent all this money on a new stop which 50 per cent of the buses in the area can't use.

"It is a waste of money, especially at a time when the council is cutting its budgets and there is already a stop 50 yards away on the same side of the road."

Initially the council had planned to put the new stop nearer the junction of Moorfield Road.

New kerbs were put in but these were later removed after it was deemed to be close to the junction.

When Mr Fry asked the authority to consider putting it further down Silver Street, nearer to the existing bus stop, council chiefs said it couldn't because of pipes in the road.

Mr Fry said: "It seems madness to have two stops within 50 yards of each other.

"But at least if the new stop was further down the road, the local bus may be able to pick up passengers from it."

North Somerset Coaches still picks up from the existing bus stop.

North Somerset Coaches owner David Fricker said: "It is frustrating that we cannot pick up passengers from this new stop.

"The new stop has raised kerbs which provide a flat, level access onto the bus which makes it easier for people with mobility issues.

"I understand there have been some planning issues but feel that a more sensible solution could have perhaps been reached with further discussion.

"We operate a hail-and-ride service so are not restricted to picking up passengers just at bus stops and can stop for passengers anywhere it is safe."

North Somerset Council spokeswoman Zoe Briffitt said: "This is an upgraded stop that includes greater accessibility for passengers through raised kerbs and also provides the space for a shelter in the future.

"There was no room to provide any of these improvements at the existing stop.

"We believe that this stop is suitable for all the routes and are extremely disappointed to hear that some routes are not using it.

"Any bus operator that has concerns about the siting of this stop needs to contact us immediately so we can try and resolve the matter."