There’s no stop in Raploch bus shelter row
New ‘green-roof’ Bridge of Allan bus shelters are in “stark contrast” to a “dirty and dilapidated” one recently installed in Raploch, it was pointed out this week.
Charles and Margaret Phillips had complained last month about the appearance of a ‘second-hand’ replacement bus shelter at Easton Court near their Raploch home.
The Bridge of Allan ‘green’ bus shelters, a pilot project, have a number of plants on their roofs to provide a food source for native insects.
This week the Phillips again got in touch to highlight that the “brand new” ‘green-roof’ bus shelters had been installed in Bridge of Allan.
The couple had previously pointed out there had been nothing wrong with the existing Easton Court shelter which, they said, had been in better condition and provided more protection from the elements. They had described the replacement Raploch shelter as “looking like it had been lying in a junkyard” and “in desperate need of a clean and some paint”.
Following the Phillips’ complaint Stirling Council apologised and workers cleaned the Easton Court shelter.
The council had also said it would be painted and perspex panels replaced as soon as possible.
Mr Phillips however said this week that it was “exasperating” to see that a new bus shelter had been installed in Bridge of Allan.
He added: “It’s great that Bridge of Allan have got a new ‘green’ bus shelter. Good on them. But it shows the difference in treatment.
“The new Bridge of Allan shelter proves my point. A second-hand shelter in bad condition wouldn’t have been acceptable in Dunblane or Bridge of Allan.
“I think all communities should be treated equally.
“I also notice that the new Bridge of Allan shelter is better enclosed, like the one we used to have.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said this week: “The roofs of the bus shelters contain a range of sedum species that have been specifically chosen to suit the local environment and to provide a food source for native insects.
“The timing of their implementation and the location of the shelters in Henderson Street are unrelated to the recent work at Easton Court and their success will be monitored.”