Bus plans are 'second rate' (From Stroud News and Journal)

Bus plans are 'second rate'

STROUD'S plans for a temporary bus station have been condemned as second rate and worthy of nothing but a bunch of laughs.

The district council's special projects officer, Barry Wyatt ran a gauntlet of criticism at the council's planning committee on Monday night where feelings were running high in opposition to the temporary site off Rowcroft Retreat.

Mr Wyatt had been invited along to discuss bridging the gap between the closure of the current Merrywalks facility and the completion of the long-awaited bus/rail interchange.

But at the meeting angry civic leaders said the site was just an accident waiting to happen.

"We have grave reservations about the safety of this site," said committee chairman Cllr Carol Kambites.

If the plans go ahead Stroud's bus users will find their bus station split between two sites with four bus bays remaining on the current site and a further four on the car park beneath Rowcroft Medical Centre.

Mr Wyatt in defence said: "In some ways it's safer - it removes the need for any reversing movements."

He conceded: "It's not the perfect solution." But he warned: "If we're not able to relocate the bus station the cinema and related facilities may not go ahead."

But Cllr Andy Read was unimpressed.

"This site isn't big enough - it just isn't safe," he argued.

"I'm absolutely amazed this is even coming forward as a suggestion - it's a bunch of laughs.

"Are you seriously telling me this site is going to pass any safety audit?"

Mr Wyatt said it would have been negligent to have ignored the site.

"It was the number one option put forward in the Halcro surveyor's report so it's worthwhile following it through," he said.

* For full sroty see this week's News & Journal