Wet windy weather is making life miserable for people using new bus stops at Cades Farm that should have had bus shelters paid for by developers months ago.
“Section 106 money amounting to around £10,000 to provide for shelters seems not to have been paid over to Taunton Deane and this needs pursuing,” Cllr John Thorne told the town council meeting this week.
“I’ve seen people waiting for a bus soaking wet and blown all over the place recently,” he added.
Councillors agreed that the borough council had a poor track record in ensuring that house-builders handed over agreed sums of money (known as S106 fees) that they promised in return for planning permission. The money pays for community amenities such as playgrounds – and bus shelters.
“What chance of we got of getting the new school provided on the planned Jurston Farm development if Taunton Deane can’t even enforce the payment for two bus shelters?” asked Cllr Ross Henley.
His scepticism was reinforced by Cllr bob Critchard who pointed out that Dobree Park residents are still waiting for a bus shelter 15 years after the estate was built. “It’s a joke,” he said.
Town clerk Greg Dyke was tasked to pursue the issue of the S106 money and the bus shelters with Taunton Deane borough council.