A five-year campaign has paid off in Peasedown St John, thanks to the persistence of one of the village’s local Councillors.
Cllr Sarah Bevan (Independent, Peasedown St John) was first approached in 2011 by residents who asked for a bus shelter to be installed at the village’s most popular bus stop.
Every morning, rain or shine, hundreds of passengers wait outside Peasedown St John Methodist Church for a bus into the city of Bath.
Located in the middle of Bath Road, Peasedown St John’s main shopping area and through-road, the bus stop has been a popular choice for decades.
Cllr Sarah Bevan said: “The Bath-bound bus stop outside our local Methodist Church is the most popular, well-used stop in our village. It was not surprising, therefore, that
residents approached me for a shelter there. However, owing to the narrow width of the pavement, getting the shelter would not have been possible without the willing, long-term co-operation of our Methodist church Minister, Reverend Michelle Ireland and members of her church committee, in particular, Ian Souter, who arranged to lease a portion of the church car park to us to accommodate the shelter safely.
“I’d like to thank all of them, as well as the imaginative Bath and North East Somerset Council public transport officers and contractors, Skanska, not only for the shelter itself, but also for detailed planning to preserve the original stone wall, make space for a new litter bin and for persevering with me over the past half-decade.”
Jeremy Gibson, a regular Peasedown-Bath passenger, was one of the residents who approached Cllr Bevan. He said: “I’m delighted to see the shelter has finally been erected and over one recent weekend it protected me from a particularly vicious
hailstorm, so I’m very, very grateful for it!”
Reverend Michelle Ireland added: “We’re delighted that we were able to make this contribution to public life for the benefit of the local community.”
The shelter’s arrival follows the recent installation of three others in Wellow Lane, Orchard Way and outside Circle Hospital, also as a result of lobbying from Councillors to the Public Transport Department.
Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown St John), added: “It’s been a real
triumph to get these new bus shelters installed throughout the community. Local people tell Sarah and I on a regular basis that they want to see our local amenities, facilities and services kept up to a useable standard. What the village looks like and the quality of our public realm, is extremely important. We are pleased, therefore, that these brand new bus shelters have been welcomed by our residents.”