It is many years since B&NES Council, with help from Bristol, decided on a multi-million pound modernisation of the Greater Bristol Bus Network. The area was to have showcase bus routes with Council and Government cash modernising the bus stops and there would be more frequent buses too. The extra buses haven't appeared and seem to be out of B&NES control, but the bus stops are very much B&NES' own pigeon.

The scheme was supposed to be completed years ago and to celebrate the event bus stops were decorated, remember the ducks on the roof of the bus stops at The Island, Midsomer Norton. Yes, that was meant to mark job well done and use up some of the left-over cash!

Unfortunately, the job remains incomplete with the Council, in spite of spending large amounts of public money, still not providing a key part of the service, elecronic information at all main bus stops advising when the next bus will come along.

The Council apparently ignored last week's coverage of the problem in Peasedown. Needless to say, the digital system is not working there either.

B&NES Council now officially says: "There is a problem with the strength of radio coverage in the Midsomer Norton and Radstock areas which severely affects the performance of the Real-Time Information (RTI) displays.

"To resolve this, the RTI supplier has submitted a planning application to install a new radio mast at The Hollies in Midsomer Norton.

"In the meantime, a temporary fix has been devised to boost radio coverage and this will be put in place in the coming weeks.

"Tests will be carried out on the roadside display units before they are switched back on. Real-time information is still currently available on the internet at http://www.nextbusbristol.co.uk">www.nextbusbristol.co.uk

"For scheduled bus times, passengers should refer to the printed information displays at the bus stops or telephone Traveline on 0871 200 2233."

The poor signal is a longstanding problem of which the Council has no excuse not to be aware.

After all the money which has been spent the Council has no excuse for not resoving the issue before now.

At least paper timetables are now available at the bus stops throughout the area.

B&NES and its Lib-Dem Leadership sincerely claims it wants to improve the environment and get more people on to public transport. This seems a poor way of achieving its objective.