MP condemns Plymouth bus shelter cuts in Parliament
Luke Pollard says "women and girls must feel safe while waiting for a bus"
Last updated 18th Mar 2022
Luke Pollard, the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, has condemned plans to cut over 200 bus shelters in the city.
It is reported that 211 bus shelters out of 627 are set to be cut in Plymouth, according to plans from Plymouth City Council.
Mr Pollard spoke about the issue in Parliament yesterday (Thursday 17 March).
He asked the Transport Minister if they agree that "Plymouth City Council must stop and consider the impact this will have on people waiting for a bus":
"After the recent tragedies we've seen in Plymouth, we have to do everything we can to make sure women and girls feel safe while waiting for a bus.
"But Plymouth's Conservatives are doing the opposite, cutting over a third of our city's bus shelters. They must stop these plans, and seriously consider the impact this will have on the safety of everybody in Plymouth.
"I want to see the council doing more to improve safety at bus shelters, and look into installing more CCTV and better lighting."
Luke Pollard - Plymouth Sutton & Devonport MP
Cllr Sally Haydon, Plymouth Labour’s lead on Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls said:
"This is a very concerning move, Labour will be writing to the council to ask them to pause this plan until the recommendations from the Commission are announced."
Cllr Sally Haydon - Plymouth Labour
A petition with more than 200 signatures has already been handed into the council by Efford and Lipson ward Labour councillors, where three out of the four shelters in Deer Park are earmarked to be removed.
We have contacted Plymouth City Council for a comment on the above.
Elsewhere, the authority announced yesterday that cabling and ground work is now underway for the installation of new CCTV cameras in and around the city centre.
Once operational, they will be monitored from the Council’s dedicated CCTV control room which has 24 hour cover with remote access in place for emergency services, Plymouth against Retail Crime, Traffic Monitoring and Public Protection teams.
The cameras can also provide extra lighting in the event of an incident and are in addition to the 354 already in place around the city.
Five locations will be getting new cameras. They are:
- Subway on North Hill
- Athenaeum Street
- Sawrey Street, Millbay
- Union Street outside Lidl
- New Street, the Barbican
A dozen stand alone emergency help points are also due to be installed in the next few weeks at the following locations:
- Southside Street junction Friary’s Lane and another outside the Crown & Anchor pub
- West Hoe Park
- Old Town Street
- Armada Way – Sundial
- Royal Parade - Centre pedestrian crossing
- Union Street – Octagon and outside Lidl
- Mutley Plain
- North Hill
- Mayflower Street
- King Street
- High Street, Stonehouse
The council say these sites were selected as they are high footfall areas with shops, pubs and clubs or local schools nearby.