PENSIONERS are urging Mid Beds District Council to keep their promise to build a bigger bus stop to keep them dry in bad weather. The storm surrounds the shelter in the Market Square, Sandy, which Biggleswade and District Pensioners Association say is no

PENSIONERS are urging Mid Beds District Council to keep their promise to build a bigger bus stop to keep them dry in bad weather.

The storm surrounds the shelter in the Market Square, Sandy, which Biggleswade and District Pensioners' Association say is not large enough to accommodate everyone under cover while waiting for buses and coaches.

"The shelter is too small. People are getting soaking wet when it rains," said association chairman Ken Lynch.

"The shelter is a load of rubbish and we have said this from day one when it was put up. We need some action now."

Back in December the council wrote to North East Beds MP Alistair Burt following a letter he received from the association.

"The Sandy Town Centre Partnership have listened to the concerns and are looking at the issues that have arisen," wrote Jim Tombe, Mid Beds District Council's town centres and transport improvement team leader.

"Following concern from the public, the partnership is now investigating options for increasing the amount of shelter available for passengers waiting for buses in Sandy Market Square.

"It is intended this will be in addition to rather than in place of the existing shelter. The operation and management of the new bus stop is also to be investigated to determine what modifications can be made by both bus operators and to the bus stop to cater for community services, unscheduled services like holiday coaches and public hire vehicles."

But Mr Lynch added: "We thought the shelter would be enlarged within a matter of weeks but nothing has happened.

"It is disgraceful that people have to stand waiting for buses and get wet in the bad weather. The council has managed to put a new front on the shelter for added protection but if we hadn't moaned about it they wouldn't have put one up.

"But a market place the size of Sandy with so many buses going through needs a bigger bus shelter and Mid Beds Council should keep its promise."

This week the council said: "The Sandy Town Centre Partnership has listened to feedback about the bus shelter and is investigating options for an additional shelter, subject to funding being available.

"The existing shelter was designed to be accessible to all including double buggies and wheelchairs and is in keeping with others installed in Mid Beds enhancement schemes.

"Sandy Town Council has been informed of the costs of an additional bus shelter, should they wish to have one installed. The town centre partnership is awaiting a decision on this.