A CONCERNED Evesham resident has called on county highways chiefs to introduce a new bus stop to serve a thriving housing estate.
Doug Marshall handed over a petition with more than 100 names to council chiefs at Worcestershire County Council last Thursday (September 18) after branding the walking distance to get to their nearest stop as ‘unacceptable’.
Speaking to the Observer, Doug said people living in the Eastwick Park area wanted to see action taken as soon as possible.
Residents want to see a new bus stop at the entrance to the estate at the end of the footpath leading to it which would replace
a 400 metre walk to get to their nearest stop at Davies Road.
Mr Marshall said he had been aware of the problem for about two years before deciding to set a petition up to pursue the case.
“The nearest bus stop to access the town is up to 733 yards for some residents, which we feel is unacceptable and breaches
Government guidelines.”
“Our proposed site for a new bus stop would enable residents to access the excellent half hourly service 28 into town which, at present, emerges from Davies Road passing our estate without stopping.
“Housing developments come and go in around the Vale but strangely nothing is done with bus stops and some consequently are in stupid places.
“If you’ve got all them empty shops in the High Street then surely you’ve got to make it easy-peasy for people to hop on the bus and get into town.
“In these terms of service we are not asking for the council to break the bank so to speak all we want is a bus stop so we can use the existing services. We not even asking for a bus shelter.
“The fact we’ve had more than 100 signatures shows the strength of feeling there is.
“If we could get the bus stop in place then I’m sure the residents would have a party up to town.” he added.
Coun John Smith, responsible for Highways at Worcestershire County Council, refuted suggestions the current situation was in breach of Government guidelines and said the council were looking into the matter.
“The County Council is aware of the issue raised by residents for a new bus stop to be installed nearer to the entrance of the Eastwick Park estate and is currently reviewing this request along with Road Safety Officers as any new bus stop must comply with highway safety,” he said.
