A FAILURE to agree between Tesco and Devon Highways is continuing to leave sick, vulnerable and elderly people waiting for a bus on a grass verge where a bus stop has no shelter.

The bus stop, on Joseph Locke Way, is well used by those coming and going from Redlands Surgery, Redlands Pharmacy, The Red Deer public house, the Tesco superstore and Mole Avon.

Crediton Town and Mid Devon District Councillor John Downes has been pursuing the urgent need for a bus shelter opposite the Redlands Surgery.

People getting off a Stagecoach bus onto the grass verge opposite Redlands Surgery in Joseph Locke Way. AQ 0244
People getting off a Stagecoach bus onto the grass verge opposite Redlands Surgery in Joseph Locke Way. AQ 0244 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

He explained that the road is due to be updated in June next year but understands that Tesco says no plans are in place for a bus shelter at this stage.

John explained that Devon County Council say the plans for the bus shelter are not in the plan and that including it could delay the works.

John says people will be forced to stand in the rain on the grass verge.

He described it as a “desperate situation” because he can’t get Tesco or Devon County Council to listen to him.

“We are between a rock and a hard place”, he added.

He said a shelter should be easy to do and that he was concerned for those standing in the cold and rain on a grass verge with no shelter while waiting for a Stagecoach bus.

John said that a dropped kerb should be installed and the work completed when the road is upgraded as it could result in the road being dug up at a much later stage, all the while leaving people with no bus shelter.

Councillor John Downes in front of a Stagecoach bus at the bus stop outside Redlands Surgery where there is one shelter, but none the other side. AQ 0237
Councillor John Downes in front of a Stagecoach bus at the bus stop outside Redlands Surgery where there is one shelter, but none the other side. AQ 0237 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

John, who is a member of the local Patient Participation Group, has been investigating the issue for some time, contacting both Devon County Council and Tesco and trying to persuade them to include the works.

When Redlands Surgery was built following the joining of the two town surgeries, Chiddenbrook and Newcombes, there was an assurance that a regular and easy bus service would serve the new surgery for the ease of town residents.

John recently spoke about his attempts to have the bus shelter built at a recent meeting of Crediton Town Council.

• Have you been affected by the loss of a suitable bus shelter opposite Redlands Surgery? If so, share your views with fellow Courier readers. Email your comment, with your name and address and a daytime telephone number, to: [email protected] .

Alternatively, write a letter: The Editor, Crediton Courier, c/o Crediton Library, Belle Parade, Crediton EX17 2AA.