Bus shelter at centre of protests to be bulldozed

6 hours ago

Owen SennittNorfolk

News image — Campaigners have been left disappointed by the decision to knock down the bus shelter

Liz Withington Campaigners stand outside the boarded up bus shelter in Sheringham pointing their thumbs down following the meeting — Campaigners have been left disappointed by the decision to knock down the bus shelter

A 1950s bus shelter that had been partly saved following a nine-day sit-in protest is now set to be bulldozed following a council U-turn.

The campaign to save Sheringham's bus shelter in December made national headlines, with the outgoing prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, wading into the situation, urging councils to "listen to the people".

But on Tuesday, Sheringham Town Council voted to knock it all down to allow Norfolk County Council to complete traffic improvements in the Station Approach area.

One councillor who wanted to shelter saved was disappointed by the decision and said the Streamline Moderne Shelter was "only a handful left in the country".

Robby West/BBC Metal fencing outside the Sheringham bus shelter where campaigners have been gathered. In the foreground of the picture is a police officer. The picture has been taken over the officer's shoulder who is wearing police uniform and a hat. — A police officer watched on as protesters gathered inside the boarded-up bus shelter last year

It was previously agreed earlier this year that only half of the shelter would be bulldozed. However, the town council has now said this would be too expensive to do and would cost in the region of £49,000.

Sheringham Town Council said the decision to stop the original scheme had already cost it about £20,000 and that it had wider implications for the town.

Liz Withington, a Sheringham Liberal democrat district and county councillor, is critical of the move.

She said: "In making the sad decision to demolish the bus shelter tonight, Sheringham Town Council have once again failed to challenge Norfolk County Council's obstructive behaviour in refusing to consider the wider possible options.

"These would have allowed the Streamline Moderne Shelter - one of only a handful left in the country to be retained and a safer and better project, which would also have saved residents council tax to come forward for the benefit of the town."

Withington added she believed both councils would have to "work hard to change the perception they cannot be trusted" following the decision.

A group of people sit in portable chairs inside a bus shelter with a mural of a steam train on the wall. — Protesters set up camp inside the bus shelter in Station Approach

Norfolk County Council said it needed to demolish the shelter in order to widen the pavement for safety improvements as part of the travel hub scheme.

A spokesperson said: "Making this decision now means that we can complete the travel hub scheme between January and March 2027.

"We are committed to returning buses to Station Approach as soon as possible and will reopen the stop as soon as the shelter has been removed and the space is made level and safe."

Sanders Coaches backed the changes and said the current bus stop is "no longer fit for purpose".

The Mayor of Sheringham, Sue Brisbane, said it was "not an easy decision".

"Our priority must be to restore a safe, accessible town centre bus stop and support our local businesses and community as a whole," she added.

"I look forward to seeing Otterndorf Green travel hub develop into a facility that will support bus users as well as providing a public space that brings the community together."