A newly-elected councillor has got straight to work by delivering improved bus stops in his ward, just two weeks after being elected.

Richard Shaw and local Neighbourhood Watch District Chair, Wendy Zealand, at the bus stop prior to the works taking place.

Transport bosses have installed new seating at a bus shelter on Meadowhead, following a campaign by local Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Shaw.

The works will see the shelter, outside the Waggon and Horses garage, installed with seating and a timetable for the first time.

Richard Shaw’s campaign follows the decision of Labour Transport Bosses to slash the Number 17 bus service, forcing elderly and vulnerable residents from Chancet Wood to walk longer distances to access bus services. However, some of their nearest bus stops lack seating or even timetables.

Richard Shaw, local Liberal Democrat councillor for Beauchief & Greenhill, said:

“I’m proud to have been elected councillor for this great area and I’m delighted that within weeks I’ve already started to deliver for the local community.

“With the scrapping of the Number 17 bus, elderly and vulnerable residents were being forced to walk longer distances to a bus-stop, only to be left with nowhere to sit when they arrived and no timetable to check for upcoming services. Although this is only a small step in the right direction, it will be a big improvement for those elderly residents who use the stop.”

It has also been revealed that the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive has earmarked £46,000 for up to seven new electronic displays for bus stops and Richard Shaw is now campaigning to bring these to bus stops near Chancet Wood.

The campaign has been backed by District Chair of the local Neighbourhood Watch group, Wendy Zealand, who said:

“When residents come out of the Chancet Wood estate, we never know if we have just missed a bus and often have a long wait and nowhere to sit if disabled. The bus stop is also a bit of a blind spot too when it is sunny, so you sometimes cannot see the numbers on the buses coming down the hill. If we had an electronic display you would know what to expect and would know whether to stop the bus or not at those times.”

Richard said:

“I’m delighted that we’ve secured new seats for this shelter but I’m determined to deliver electronic displays as well. It’s only fair that priority is given to elderly residents who have been put at considerable inconvenience by the bus changes that transport bosses have forced through.”