Bosses have U-turned by finally returning to safer bus stops in a busy area used by schoolchildren and the elderly after a councillor highlighted the issue to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Councillor Nairn McDonald voiced concern that buses have not been using the main stops in Montgomerie Park because they were not allowed to do reverse turning manoeuvres while they had passengers.
He said: “Buses have not been using either of the two bus stops.
“The temporary bus stop is on a bank at the side of the road. School weans and the elderly use it. But it’s muddy, slippery and near the roundabout and the kids get mockit.
“We need the Shuttle and Stagecoach buses to start using the normal bus stops instead of temporary ones. They should be able to turn.
"The new turning space put in by Bellway Homes is huge and there is plenty of room to swing a cat. There are two bus stops and they are not using either of them. The area has been tarmacked.
“There is ample space to turn and there is reluctance to go back to where it was. It’s a situation that needs to be rectified as it has been going on for so long."
A spokesperson for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) said: “Following the visit by Stagecoach and the local council to view bus stops and the new turning circle at Montgomerie Park, Stagecoach, Shuttle Buses and North Ayrshire Council have agreed:
- Shuttle Buses local bus services will revert to using Montgomerie Park Drive and the bus stops from Friday, March 17.
- Stagecoach local bus services (SPT supported, evening and Sundays) will revert to using Montgomerie Park Drive and the bus stops from Friday, March 17.
- Shuttle bus school contract to St Jphn Ogilvie Primary continues to serve the estate, as it circles the housing estate and therefore does not use the turning circle to turn.
- Stagecoach registered school service 30/30A to Greenwood Academy will not return to Montgomerie Park Drive and the normal bus stops for the time being but will continue to use the temporary bus stop. This is because the size of the vehicle in use prevents the turn being safely made in the space available.
- Once Regalia View is complete, this service will utilise Regalia View to circle the area in order to avoid a reverse manoeuvre.
"All of the above is dependent on the turning circle being kept clear of parked vehicles.”
Reacting to the news, Councillor McDonald said “It is a welcome development that the majority of bus services serving Montgomerie Park will revert back to their normal bus stops.
"While I understand the reasons behind the decision by SPT to keep the 30/30A School Bus to Greenwood using the temporary stops, it does give me some concern as the council prepares to break ground on the new primary school.
"I will be writing to Bellway to ask they make the completion of the Regalia Way Road a priority not only for their own sake but for the safety of the residents and young people on Montgomerie Park.”
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