'Fed up' Portsmouth pensioners finally get new bus shelter to replace one knocked down
“Fed up” pensioners and disabled people who have been forced to stand lengthy times waiting for buses in harsh weather without a shelter after it was knocked down now finally have some good news.
Locals have been left without the city centre shelter in Edinburgh Road for the last seven months after a Stagecoach bus smashed into it on July 29 causing it to collapse. Now, a new shelter has finally been installed.
Kenneth Martin, 77, was among the locals who have been inconvenienced by the incident, with him angered by “excuses” and a lack of apology by Portsmouth City Council - which was organising the replacement shelter.
On one occasion, adding to the frustrations of residents, a replacement cover with seats was delivered to the location - but it was the “wrong” type so could not be used.
“Fed-up” Kenneth, speaking of the disruption having no bus shelter has had on him and others, said: “For the last seven months we had no bus shelter to sit in and to protect us from the rain.
“Time after time we have contacted the council about this matter and all we got was excuses - the best one was they can't find a bus shelter to fit our bus stop.
“On our route there are countless old people, a lot with disabilities. Myself, I have severe pain in both knees which means I can't stand long
“After waiting seven months a letter was put on the temporary bus stop saying that a new bus shelter will be installed on the 17 February but guess what? There was no bus shelter, no apology from the council, no phone call, no email, nothing.
“A bus shelter was delivered on the back of a lorry but guess what? They sent the wrong bus shelter. Poor people have to stand sometimes for an hour waiting for a bus to go home.”
The city council has today said a new shelter has now been placed at the site after being approached by The News last week. “This shelter has now been replaced,” a spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach said at the time: “A Stagecoach bus turning into Commercial Road made contact with a bus shelter, which subsequently collapsed.
Stagecoach attended the incident to “manage the debris” and make the area safe, with the spokesperson confirming the circumstances surrounding the incident would be reviewed.