BHFOE and Brighton & Hove City Council for better bus shelters

Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth (BHFOE) is welcoming the opportunity presented by Brighton & Hove City Council going out to tender for the installation, maintenance and cleaning of bus shelters in Brighton & Hove.

BHFOE is concerned that many bus shelters are not fit for purpose with no guttering that results in bus passengers getting wetter than they need. Some shelters also provide little protection in bad weather while others can severely narrow pavements as a result of their advertising hoardings.

Much radical approach is needed in the main shopping areas, such as Chirchill Square, London Road, St. James Street, etc. where the bus shelters are completely inadequate for the large numbers of people arriving and departing by bus.
Chris Todd from BHFOE said:

“This contract offers us a rare opportunity to improve conditions for the tens of thousands of people who use the buses every day. However, our concern is that the Council report focusses on a tender that doesn’t cost the Council any money, rather than providing what is needed.”

Mr Todd also said that any new contract must be focused on radical solutions in central shopping areas, because “If we want to boost our local economy, we need to stop treating people who travel by bus like second class citizens.”

The City Council will be discussing the proposal to go out to tender for the bus shelter contract at its Policy and Resources Comittee Meeting on Thursday (16 Jan), 4pm at the Council Chamber in Hove Town Hall.

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Words: Savina Radeva