People catching a bus from North Shields are feeling the benefit of investment by Nexus to improve shelters in the town centre, including better lighting and CCTV security.
A new 23-metre shelter for the busy bus stops in Bedford Street meets the standard seen at town centre bus stations in Tyne and Wear such as Wallsend and Blaydon.
The shelter, one of two new ones installed in Bedford Street, gives passengers better seating and a more secure place to wait thanks to low-energy LED lights and CCTV technology – and it fits more people in comfort.
Cllr Frank Lott, who represents Riverside Ward on North Tyneside Council and is also a member of the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority, which funds Nexus, was among the first to visit the new shelters.
He said: “Having a sheltered, secure place to catch a bus is one of the key concerns of bus passengers I speak to.
“This investment provides a more comfortable, secure and accessible place to wait for the thousands of passengers who use Bedford Street every week.”
Tobyn Hughes, Deputy Director General of Nexus said: “We are treating the stops, close to North Shields Metro station, the same as we would town centre bus stations as this reflects the number of people using them.
“Stops and shelters form a key part of everyone’s bus journey and as a public body we invest in providing the best possible information and waiting environment.”
Nexus is refurbishing all 450 bus shelters it owns in North Tyneside as part of a cyclical maintenance programme which will be completed this summer.
As well as making Bedford Street a better place to wait for a bus, the new layout at the busy town centre stops will improve access for all passengers boarding and alighting buses.
It will also allow increased space at the turning from Wellington Street and so improve the flow of through traffic in the town centre.
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