Changes to make new Llanelli bus station better spark criticism
LLANELLI bus station is being altered just months after it opened.
The changes have led to town councillors criticising the county council for not spending taxpayers' money wisely enough.
The bus station opened last summer, but after fierce criticism from the public it is now being extended, having work done to make it weather-proof and being fitted with new seats.
Town councillor Bill Thomas welcomed the news but said: "It's taken 37 years to get this project in place.
"One would think any project manager would consult and make sure.
"Everybody knows the prevailing wind in Llanelli is westerly and therefore we would make plans to ensure the customers for the bus are standing protected from the west winds.
"How did that come about that they didn't know how many people would be using the bus station?
"My problem with this is the leader of the council was photographed saying what a wonderful place it was.
"It's money that we're earning, that our electorate is earning, it's money that we pay in taxes.
"They spend it and they can't even spend it right."
And Councillor Jan Williams said: "I'm very pleased that they are ordering the seats and people will be able to sit down.
"But it's a shame that the money has to be spent again and they didn't consult with people, like the town council, who know the needs."
Mrs Williams also said she was worried about disabled access to the new station.
"I'm very, very worried about disabled access.
"Taxies are not allowed anywhere near this bus station. They are not even allowed disabled taxis.
"Getting a taxi in Cowell Street is no good to anybody who's disabled. At the moment getting to the bus station is very difficult."
And Councillor John Jenkins hit out at the council for giving the town "second class services".
He said: "Swansea has the Quadrant, Carmarthen has its bus station. Llanelli has its bus shelters that are too small and don't have seats. As long as these decisions are made down in Carmarthen, Llanelli will continue to get second class services."
The comments were made after a letter was sent to Llanelli Town Council from the county council confirming the work.
Carmarthenshire Council were unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.
laura.burnip@swwmedia.co.uk
4 Comments
by Johnyuz
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 6:53AM
“In the Evening Post of 2nd February, under the heading "Plans to oust Carmarthenshire Council Leader", Council leader Mrs Meryl Gravell was quoted as saying
"If Peter wants to bring a notice of no confidence in me then it's very disappointing that he couldn't have the decency to do so based on real failings or bad decisions, and not on something he knows in his heart not to be true."
Are planning decsions regarding the failure of the Llanelli bus station one (of many) "bad decisions" (bad for the people of Llanelli that is) that should be taken into account of in the forthcoming elections.
Let the voters decide!”
by gorseboy
Monday, February 06 2012, 8:06PM
“Wonderful place fo the Rabble,we all know m/s G feelings for those people in Llanelli.
Glad they are changing the seats in the shelters,try sitting on a piece of etal some 4" wide and angled so that you slide off if your feet can't reach the floor.
Can we have the old one back please it wasn't up to much BUT far better than this one I'm not into hill climbing at my age.”
by trunkles3
Monday, February 06 2012, 5:27PM
“Swansea has the Quadrant, with freezing cold metal seats and a useless information system.
Neath bus station has seats, is relatively dry, but you can't walk between the stops when it's busy, because the pathway between them is only 3 foot wide.
Why does this happen? Because neither council planners nor councellors use public transport.”
by Petert53
Monday, February 06 2012, 4:24PM
“Aah, council planners - congenitally incompetent.”