Council at a loss over bus shelter

THE fight to get a larger bus shelter in Sandy Market Square may have moved a step closer - if a council can find the quote for a new one.

Sandy Town Council was given a quote for the cost for a new one but it has been lost.

Cllr Peter Blaine said this week: "We want to replace the existing one but the quote for the new shelter has gone missing and we must sort it out as soon as possible.

"It is certainly very unsatisfactory this has happened but we want to get the new shelter in place before the bad weather."

Pensioners' campaigner Ken Lynch has accused both the town council and Mid Beds District Council of dragging their feet over replacing the shelter with weather guards at the front to prevent bus travellers being splashed in bad weather.

For more than six months he has lobbied both councils in an attempt to get a new bus stop.

This week Mr Lynch, chairman of the Biggleswade and District Pensioners' Association, told The Comet: "This has been going on for months. Before we know where we are winter will be here again and people will be getting wet waiting for buses in the Market Square.

"The councils keep saying they are looking at the problem but they know what needs to be done and should get on with it.

"I am running out of patience over the whole business especially as there has been a meeting between the councils and the shelter manufacturer.

"We want to know what is going on and when we might expect a new shelter."

Cllr Blaine said representatives from both councils recently met with the manufacturer of the shelter, which is based in Scotland, and a report will be discussed by Sandy Town Council soon.

The full cost of the new shelter is likely to be paid for by the town council with Cllr Blaine saying: "We will have to see whether there is sufficient money left from the town centre enhancement scheme put aside for street furniture to pay for the shelter.