A MAN has been left “absolutely fuming” after work began on a bus shelter outside his house.

Robbie Williams, of Well House Drive, Penymynydd, said he was only informed by Flintshire Council a few days before the shelter started going up that it was being built. 

Mr Williams said he received a letter from Flintshire Council advising it was going to be building the shelter on Penymynydd Road, when it is going up outside his house on Well House Drive.

 “I’m half tempted to just stand in the way and stop them building the shelter. But will that get me arrested?” he asked. 

“Because it’s on the entrance to the estate, which already gathers teens all year round, I have already got a problem with noise and they chuck litter on my garden, spit on cars and tip my bins over.

“What I’m trying to say to the council is that if this shelter is built, I’ll be getting this problem all year round.”

Mr Williams said work has already begun on the shelter.

“They’ve started to put it up now and have dug a big hole where they are putting it,” he said.

“Flintshire Council say they will be back to me within 10 working days, but by that time the shelter will be up and it will be too late to do anything.

“I will be phoning my solicitor and have already spoken to Cllr Cindy Hinds and she is on the case.

“I’m absolutely fuming. I also have a feeling that when I come to sell my home, it will be devalued because of this – who would really want to buy a house with a big bus shelter outside of it?

“We’ve just had an extension done which people have said to me looks really nice, but if this bus shelter is built then I certainly wouldn’t
want to buy a house with that outside.”

Mr Williams believes there would have been more suitable sites for the bus shelter.

“The council have said they are building the shelter for the elderly as part of the community transport service, which is great,” he said.

“But I know that there are two better sites where it could go. It’s ridiculous.”

Cllr Bernie Attridge, cabinet member for environment, said: “An extensive amount of community engagement has taken place over the last 18 months to develop sustainable community travel options and identify how we can help Flintshire residents access the core bus network and vital services where gaps may exist.  

“Numerous drop in sessions have been held across Flintshire to identify demand, community need and capacity. As part of the public consultation a joint drop-in event with the community council was held in Penyffordd on January 18 to seek feedback on the proposals and consider options for transport improvements in the local community.

“The event in Penyffordd identified the need for better access into Buckley for medical, retail, employment and connections with wider bus services.”

Cllr Attridge work has started to create a new community shuttle service to enhance existing services on the core network.

“Work is now under way to develop a new community shuttle service into Buckley from Penyffordd, Penymynydd and Dobshill, allowing access for residents to health services in Buckley and to allow for connection with core bus network services for onward journeys,” he said.

“The new service is designed to complement and enhance existing bus services on the core network.  It is envisaged that the service will commence in April 2017.  

“This proposal will mirror the pilot scheme that is currently underway in Kinnerton, which allows access to services and employment for Kinnerton residents to Broughton.”

Responding to Mr Williams’ concerns, Cllr Attridge added: “In response to the concerns raised, a site meeting has been arranged with the local residents, elected members and the community council.  

“All planned works on the site have been put on hold while the council considers the residents’ concerns and takes steps to resolve the matter to everyone’s mutual satisfaction.

Reinstatement works to the footway have taken place to ensure site safety.”