A CAMPAIGNER calling for a much-needed bus stop at an Evesham housing estate has been given a major boost after a bus operator stepped in.
Last month the Observer reported how resident Doug Marshall handed in a formal petition to Worcestershire County Council after branding the walking distance for residents in the Eastwick Park area to get to their nearest bus stop as ‘unacceptable’.
The petition, which was signed by more than 100 residents, called for a new bus stop to be installed at the entrance to the estate which they hoped would replace a 400 metre walk to get to their nearest stop at Davies Road.
But after also notifying Stagecoach Midlands of residents’ concerns, Mr Marshall has been told the bus firm now intend to stop
both sides of Cheltenham Road in a move which would alleviate the problem and allow residents a much shorter walk to get
the bus into town.
In an email to Mr Marshall, Stagecoach Midlands managing director Steve Burd said: “I am pleased to confirm that Stagecoach Midlands is willing to put a both sides of the road sticker on the bus stop on Cheltenham Road, close to Eastwick Park.
“I have asked my marketing manager to make arrangements for this both sides of the road sticker to be fitted as soon as possible.”
Mr Burd then told the Observer: “We always try to respond positively to requests from members of the public, where this is possible.
“In this case we could see from Mr Marshall’s letter that there was clearly a need for this facility, particularly as they had lost
their previous alternative service and we were in a position where we could help.
“I hope that service 28/28A proves to be of benefit to many of the residents of Eastwick Park, as it not only provides a regular
half hourly service to Evesham, but also to Stratford.”
Mr Marshall thanked Stagecoach Midlands for their help and said their involvement was welcomed by residents living in the area.
“It has all happened so quickly and obviously we are hugely grateful to Stagecoach,” he said.
“This has been done with such a common sense approach without any red tape or regulations. The stop will be located just a
matter of five or ten yards away from where we desired so it’s all good.”
