New shelter proves its worth already
Ken Mordue, Ron and Dorothy Adams and councillors Andrew Tebbutt and Ken Brown in the new bus shelter in Spelvit Lane.
A NEW Morpeth bus shelter which was built following a residents’ petition proved its worth on Saturday.
The old facility in Spelvit Lane was removed when Arriva changed the route for its services in Kirkhill a few years ago.
But the company’s latest revision last year meant that buses were once again going past the stop so public transport users living nearby asked Morpeth Town Council to install the now redundant shelter in Springhill Walk.
They were challenged to prove that it would be well-used and 90-year-old Ken Mordue organised a petition which was signed by 129 people.
Councillors decided to support a new shelter being built after they were told by staff that dismantling and putting up one in a different location would cost about the same. It was completed at the end of January.
“It’s been a long haul and it was very frustrating to have a shelter at the other end of Spelvit Lane but no protection for us so we’re very pleased to have the new one in place,” said Mr Mordue.
“The people who put their names on the petition deserve a pat on the back and I’m grateful to Ron and Dorothy Adams for helping me to collect the signatures.
“Thanks must also go to Councillor Tebbutt for listening to us and providing some funding for the shelter.
“It made a big difference when the snow cames on Saturday.”
Coun Andrew Tebbutt, a Morpeth Kirkhill town and county councillor, partly paid for the facility with money from his county council Members’ Small Schemes fund.
He said: “Two or three of the residents asked for the shelter when Arriva changed its route again and we told them to show us evidence that it was needed.
“They did just that and we were happy to support their request. Mr Mordue deserves great credit for organising this fantastic response.”
Fellow Kirkhill ward member for the town council, Ken Brown, added: “Installing a new shelter was expensive for us, but we were in no doubt about what action to take once the residents came together and handed us such a strong petition.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Morpeth
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
