Bus shelters in disrepair ‘pose risk to public safety’

BUS shelters are falling dangerously into disrepair, a coroner has warned following a pensioner’s death, after it emerged a council relied on drivers to report any damage.

Lancashire council was issued a “prevention of future deaths” notice at an inquest into the death of Freda Mason, 67, who fell through a shelter where a pane of glass was missing.

She died in hospital three days after the accident in July last year.

Preston coroner’s court heard Ms Mason suffered broken ribs from the incident in Padiham.

Simon Jones, the deputy coroner, said the council had a “reactive” approach to repairing damaged shelters, relying on bus drivers, members of the public and councillors to report faults.

A council spokesman said the coroner’s concerns had already been acted upon and regular inspections were now being carried out.

The spokesman said: “We are currently in the process of tendering a contract for a service provider to install, maintain, monitor and repair our bus shelters as part of a comprehensive overhaul and upgrade programme throughout the county.”