A gobsmacked couple were left speechless after returning home from work to discover a bus stop had been erected at the end of their driveway.
Christopher Harris and Michelle Smith, from Beddau, Rhondda Cynon Taf, said they knew about plans for a new bus stop on their street, but it was supposed to be further up the road.
Mr Harris was stunned when he came home last Thursday to find a bus stop pole planted in his hedge, right outside his house. Since then, he’s been trapped in his own home by buses parking up at the end of his drive.
He revealed that buses running ahead of schedule often park outside his house for extended periods. When he confronted one driver about this, they agreed the bus stop should never have been placed at the end of his driveway.
The situation is set to worsen next month when school term starts again, as the stop will be used by dozens of schoolchildren every morning. Mr Harris said: “When I saw the plans it was supposed to be up the road so I didn’t take any notice. But we had parking spaces outside our house and now we’ve lost those spaces.
“That wasn’t in any consultation. At no point did they ever say the stop would be there. When I got home from work last week I was honestly in disbelief”, reports WalesOnline.
“They’ve put the post in my hedge and the bus stop is literally right at the end of my drive. The buses are being told to stop right on a dropped kerb which I’m sure isn’t legal.
“Of course, by the time I realised all of this they’d finished. So far everyone I’ve spoken to hasn’t been able to help me. Not only have we lost parking spaces outside the house without notice, we’re often being blocked into our own drive.”
A spokesman for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council confirmed the authority would investigate the concerns. They stated: “Adding the new bus stop within Beddau is intended to improve access to local bus services for the community. Officers have received the concerns raised by the resident and will look into them as a priority issue.”
Mr Harris revealed: “I’ve got the local councillor coming out to see me because this is just ridiculous. I’m also waiting for the traffic officer to give me a call.
“When you Google it there is plenty of information online about why a bus stop should not be placed on a dropped kerb. I can’t believe it’s been put there.
“The bus stops have been moved to accommodate the school kids. So I could have God knows how many kids smack outside my gates every day. What happens when I open my gates and try to get my car out in the morning?” Recalling his recent exchange with a bus driver who had pulled up at the bottom of his driveway, Mr Harris said: “On Saturday morning he was parked there for a while and I said: ‘Nothing against you mate, but you’re blocking my driveway.'”.
“He called his company and told them that a bus stop was blocking the house and he said he totally agreed with me that it wasn’t right. He was good as gold. So we’ll see what comes of it now because it can’t go on like this.
“I have threatened that if buses continue to block my drive then I will block the bus stop. I’ll have no choice.”