Bus Shelter to be re-installed at Albany Road Stop

The Cambridge Ward Team are delighted to report that the bus shelter, which was recently removed from Albany Road, is set to be returned as a matter of urgency. Residents called the Lib Dem team to express concern that the shelter had been removed and not replaced by a new one.  As residents are very aware, this is a particularly exposed area which because of its location, just off the Promenade, gets the wind straight off the coast.

Bus stops and bus shelters are not, however, the responsibility of the Council instead they are managed by Merseytravel.  As a result, Councillor Sue McGuire contacted Merseytravel and explained in detail why a bus shelter was needed at this particular location. This action, together with calls from some residents, has prompted Merseytravel to reconsider their decision and look to replace the missing shelter.

Sue received the following email reply in response to her request for the shelter to be replaced.


Hi Sue

Yes, we have received several enquiries about the removal of this shelter!!

I’ll try and explain the reasoning as simply as I can. I hope it’s not too withering!

The existing shelter was of obsolete design and in very poor condition


Merseytravel, in partnership with our shelter contractor have a set budget for the replacement(within the 5 borough’s) of such shelters (Abacus Shelters)


There are more shelters of this type than the budget covers


There are no longer the parts available for continued maintenance of such shelters and a list was drawn up of the most dilapidated shelters


Albany Road was highlighted as being in very poor condition and an assessment was made on the frequency of bus services utilising the stop, the recorded boarding figures and maintenance history of the bus stop


The boarding figures fell way short of the usual level used when assessing a location for the provision of a shelter


Therefore, as the shelter was ‘beyond repair’, the location then did not justify the expense of a brand new bus shelter as other locations scored much higher on the priority list, given the limited budget for replacement of this type of shelter and subsequently the decision was taken to remove the structure



That’s the background. However, since the removal we have received several comments which have highlighted the dismay felt by public transport users in this area. We regret the fact that there was no pre-warning of the removal, which could have been placed at the bus stop prior to the event.

Given the groundswell of opinion on the shelter and that it is obviously a vital cog for those that support public transport in this area, we have taken the decision to source a replacement shelter as soon as possible. It may not be a brand new one but will certainly be from our most recent range of shelters. Sourcing the appropriate shelter for the configuration of the pavement may take a few weeks but we will now make the necessary arrangements to reinstate a shelter as soon as possible.

It would be most helpful if you can pass this on to any residents, passengers in the area who have highlighted this issue. I trust this clarifies our position but should you have any further queries please do not hesitate in contacting me.

Regards


IAN MCDERMOTT
Asset Management
Tel No 0151-330-1862
Fax No 0151-330-1222
e-mail ian.mcdermott@merseytravel.gov.uk