New bus shelters offer little shelter

The £8,000 shelters, recently installed at Station Approach have not been doing a very good job at sheltering people. The design means that water blows into the back of the shelter and tip down the necks of unwary occupants. Now it looks as if Rother Council could take action against the shelter manufacturers on the grounds that they are not fit for purpose. The shelters are part of a scheme to enhance and brighten up the Station Approach area, which is one of the gateways into Rye. Planting and landscaping is also planned. Rye councillor Mary Smith, a bus user herself, said: “We have had lots of complaints from people about water coming in and also when its snowed. “Depending on which way the wind is blowing it can dump lots of water down people’s necks because of the gap at the back of the shelter. They cost a lot of money but seem to be poorly designed.” Rye Town Clerk Richard Farhall said: “Last Easter a working group comprising representatives drawn from the Town and District Councils, the public and the police was formed to consider replacing the vandalised and unsightly bus shelters in Station Approach. “Rother took the opportunity to carry out landscaping in the vicinity which will culminate shortly in a planting scheme. “The new bus shelters were selected because they offered good value, are aesthetically pleasing and their design allows the Police to pick up easily on any anti-social behaviour or criminal damage being committed within them. “The two shelters cost £8,000 and were purchased by Rother District Council on the request of the Working Group. “The Working Group is disappointed that the shelters appear to fall short of what might be reasonably be expected of a shelter during certain weather conditions, primarily a combination of wind and rain. “These concerns have been made known to Rother, together with the suggestion that there would seem to be a good case for approaching the supplier to pursue a ‘not fit for purpose’ claim. Rother is currently considering the matter.”