At the end of May, the bus shelter on the North side of Queen Street was demolished by a coach allegedly undertaking a 'U' turn. A person sitting in the bus shelter at the time narrowly escaped injury.
This bus stop is close to the traffic lights at the junction with Claypotts Road and the bus shelter is well used by pupils from Eastern Primary School and Grove Academy as well as local residents.
A number of bus passengers who use that stop have contacted me to inquire why the bus shelter hadn't been replaced?
I followed this up with the Transportation Department. I was informed that a member of staff had found that there was a long delivery time for a new shelter ordered from the manufacturers. They have decided to relocate a rarely used bus shelter from another part if the city.
I have been assured that this will be resolved soon.
A constituent has queried with me how it was that display advertisements on a bus shelter in Brook Street were now illuminated 24 hours a day? These illuminated advertisements seem to have replaced non illuminated ones which are a common feature of bus shelters in the city including The Ferry.
The constituent thought that the illuminated advertisements were much more visually intrusive; which to the advertiser I suppose is the point of them?
I have written to the planning department for clarification.
Constituents in Balgillo Road have complained to me about the lack of a bus shelter at the stop beside the corner shop close to the junction with Forthill Road. They would like some protection from the wind and rain while they wait for a bus. They would also appreciate access to 'real time' information about the upcoming buses on the route.
I first passed on these concerns and requests in 2011 just after the bus timetables and routes were altered. At that time, I was informed then that decisions to move bus shelters or install additional ones would be taken once things had settled down on the new routes.
Following renewed representations from constituents, I approached the Transportation Department again at the end of last month. This time there was a thumbs up; an agreement that a new Bus Shelter would be provided.
This is positive news for my constituents who were hopeful, when informed of this, that the installation of 'their' bus shelter will be sooner rather than later.
I was appalled to be informed that that another glass panel had been smashed on the Bus Shelter on Balgillo Road near the junction with Elcho Drive on Wednesday. Infuriatingly, this was only the day after a contractor had replaced four panels at the same Bus Shelter. Since August this makes three cases of broken glass panels at this bus shelter.
I am sure residents will join me in condemning this series of deliberate acts of criminal damage which is wasting public money. It is also diverting council cash from funding transport improvements such as the demand for a bus shelter further up Balgillo Road at the stop close to the junction with Marlee Road.
I appeal to residents to keep an eye out for and to report any suspicious behaviour to the Police. I think the residents who live on the north side of Elie Avenue are probably in the best position to keep a watchful eye out as their homes face the Balgillo Road and this bus shelter; so let's have some neighbourhood watch!
.JPG)
