As you can see the sides of this type of shelter are opaque and with it standing the other way around it just blocks the view completely for those few seconds which are extremely important.
I eventually was concerned enough about this (others had also confirmed they found it somewhat hazardous) so I emailed our Council setting out what I thought was a safety problem. I did receive about 3 emails acknowledging my email (a couple of which said 'bus shelter repair' which worried me a little) and then I waited. Two weeks later I received an email saying the matter was being looked into followed by a telephone call asking me if anyone had done anything about it. I told the gentleman that so far I'd not had any positive feedback and he said he'd look into the matter for me.
I have finally received an email telling me that the transport authority cannot find anywhere else to place the shelter (I would agree with them on that) but they will now remove this shelter and replace it with one exactly the same as on the other side of the road (that particular one is on a straight piece of road with no side streets nearby and I now wonder if the wrong bus shelters were erected in the first place. This is what the other one looks like:
This one has no sides and I somewhat fear the people catching the bus after the old shelter is removed may be a bit cross about having less protection from the rain. One thing is for certain everyone should have a better view of approaching traffic which in my mind is more important.
It was certainly wonderful to know the Council took notice of my complaint, looked into it thoroughly, obviously decided there was a problem and are going to do something about it. They have told me it will take 11 weeks for the new shelter to be constructed and I didn't feel it was my place to suggest that perhaps if they just swapped the two shelters over they could solve the problem.
That is a huge win. Congratulations - job well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks EC. I was quite pleased with myself and am looking forward to the improved vision down that road. I did mention to MOH that perhaps they could have just swapped the two shelters over but he (he is much wiser than me) said the bases of the two shelters could have different dimensions. I didn't think of that but I guess he is probably right.
DeleteBrava on making your road safer. Lives depend on motorists being able to see where they're going --and what's coming. I wish our highway department here was as responsive --and responsible-- as yours!
ReplyDeleteActually it wasn't athemain roads department but our local council that responded as well as they did and I was so pleased they did because, as you say, road safety is paramount these days. There are some pretty bad drivers that one has to be constantly on the lookout for. There is a lot of criticism of we older drivers but some of the younger ones take a lot of beating with their mobile phones and thumping loud music. I often wonder how much their concentration suffers.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Mimsie I am sure some frightening moments were averted I think that was a great thing for you to do and the fact that it worked is to be commended. Hug B
ReplyDeleteI was highly delighted at the outcome. It's not always easy to have a win against government, whether local, State or Federal. x
DeleteAlways nice when someone listens to your concerns and then actually DOES something about it. congrats
ReplyDeleteThanks Delores....I am still pinching myself that I was actually taken notice of and found obviously to be correct in my concern.
DeleteWell done, it's nice when councils actually listen and act to improve things.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree and there should be more of it.
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