SCRUFFY bus shelters in Stonehouse will receive a much-needed makeover following complaints that they make the area appear rundown.

Gloucestershire County Council is now in talks with Stonehouse Town Council to improve the town’s three ‘tired and old’ looking bus shelters on the High Street.

Initially STC were keen to have all three bus shelters replaced, however part of a £50K budget held by GCC for bus stop replacement in Gloucestershire will be spent on painting the shelters.

The chosen refurbishment is a cheaper option than full replacement.

Integrated Transport Officer at GCC, Jonathan Roberts, said: “The cost of supplying and fitting one new shelter will be nine times greater than the cost of the refurbishment.

“Regrettably we do not have that level of funding; almost £6,000 available for one fairly basic shelter and certainly not between £19,800 and £23,600 to cover costs for replacing them all.

“There is no dedicated shelter budget for Stonehouse and there is limited funding remaining in the bus stop replacement budget.

“This is intended to be used across the county and in cases where no other option is available, unlike this instance where the existing shelters are structurally sound.”

Mr Roberts has agreed to fund the refurbishment costs and following discussions with the original supplier of the shelters has been provided with a proposal to refurbish the shelters.

STC councillors were originally ‘unsatisfied’ with the shelters receiving a paint job, however are happy to see the original suppliers, Clear Channel, before and after photographs for a better idea of what to expect.

The refurbishment, which will considerably improve the current appearance, is to be undertaken ‘as quickly as possible’.