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High street's temporary bus stops lead to confusion

Kayleigh BarkerSouth of England, Witney
BBC A closed bus stop with rubble and and a digger in the background and orange fencing around it.BBC
The county council and bus companies say they are working to improve signage

Bus passengers say temporary bus stop changes have left them frustrated and confused, with some giving up on services entirely.

Several stops in Witney have been moved as part of the high street enhancement scheme, which is widening pavements and making the town centre more pedestrian friendly.

Maps have been put up showing where the new stops are, but passengers said they're not clear enough.

Oxfordshire County Council said: "Local bus operators are working with us to improve the information on-site and to help people plan their bus journeys."

The store front of Lily's attic with the owner Tamsin stood out the front. Opposite the shop is a closed bus stop with orange fencing stretching down the street.
Tamsin Butler owns Lily's Attic, next to where the work is taking place

Tamsin Butler owns Lily's Attic in Market Square where a bus stop is being refurbished in front of the shop: "Every few minutes people are coming in asking where the bus stop has gone and I don't know."

Megan Davies from Witney said the temporary stops have been a nightmare: "As soon as they started the roadworks, I haven't had a clue…I've been walking miles to find the stop which defeats the purpose of getting the bus."

Witney town councillor David Edward-Hughes said he's having an influx of people contacting him directly for help: "People are dithering about, not sure where they should be or what time….Obviously buses come and go, they don't stop for too long so people want to make sure they're in the right place at the right time.

"The contractors carrying out the work have put up some signs which are strapped to the orange fencing in front of the bus stops, it's an A4 bit of paper but it's not at eye level so you've got to bend down to see it, it's not very accessible."

'I went and ordered a taxi'

Christine Jude from Witney said: "It's been pretty confusing because the direction the buses can travel in has changed and the signage hasn't been terribly helpful."

Rosemary McCarthy uses the bus in town regularly but recently struggled to find the bus so gave up altogether: "I went and ordered a taxi."

Councillor Edward-Hughes said: "These bus stops are really causing confusion."

"Particularly for services Oxford bound...there's two distinct bus stops now when they used to be next to each other in the permanent location…in the temporary positions, they're 100 metres apart and it's not easy to run from one to the other if you're at the wrong stop."

A big yellow temporary bus stop sign on a hill in Witney. Trees line the street and an elderly couple sit on the wall beside the sign as they wait for their bus
One of the new temporary bus stops in Witney

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson said: "The Witney High Street and Market Square enhancements complement the town's history and character and will create a more welcoming space that encourages more people to enjoy the town centre.

"Our contractors are working with local people to ensure business deliveries and pedestrian access on the High Street and Market Square continue smoothly.

"Local bus operators are working with us to improve the information on-site and to help people plan their bus journeys.

"The works are due to be completed ahead of the town's winter celebrations."

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