Students in danger at busy bus shelter warn residents

Students' lives are being put at risk at a bus stop near Market Drayton because it is too close to a major roundabout, worried residents warned today.

Jayne Whitfield, of Market Drayton, is calling for action to be taken before a youngster waiting to go to school or college is killed or seriously injured when using the bus stop next to the Tern Hill roundabout.

And she has support from parents who are forced to drop their children there to catch buses to schools and colleges across Telford and north Shropshire.

Mrs Whitfield said children are being dropped off by parents on the opposite side of the road in the mornings, meaning many have to run across the A53 to reach the bus stop.

She has described the situation as a nightmare and is calling for the bus stop to be relocated. "It worries me greatly," she said. "It is a stupid place for a bus stop.

"There are youngsters from different schools being dropped off by their parents at about 7.40am to 8am every morning. They get dropped off by the garage, which in itself blocks traffic, and then they are running across the road.

"It is a nightmare. Something has got to be done about before someone gets seriously hurt."

Gareth Dean, of Tern Hill, agreed it was a dangerous place for a bus stop.

"My son catches the bus there every day to get to Adams Grammar in Newport and my concern is that it is not really suitable for young people," he said.

"One of the problems is that there are pick-ups for various schools there.

"I don't see there being a viable alternative and nothing will be done unless someone gets knocked down."

Councillor Simon Jones, cabinet member for transport at Shropshire Council, said: "The bus stop in question is served by Arriva bus services.

"It is down to the bus operators, in conjunction with the council, to do risk assessments and decide on the location of bus stops.

"It's ultimately the responsibility of passengers to ensure they adhere to the Highway Code and act safely when accessing buses."

A spokesman for Arriva confirmed the location of bus stops was determined with the help of Shropshire Council.