A BUS shelter which has been closed off to passengers for more than nine months is set to be repaired.

The shelter at Maes Canol, Abergele, is full of leaves and rubbish. Metal fencing has been put up, stopping people from entering.

Resident Gordon Hughes has been calling on the local authority to take action.

But there has confusion in relation to where the responsibility lies and who should carry out the work.

Mr Hughes said: “I contacted Conwy County Borough Council and a belated reply informed me they were taking no responsibility for the repair of the bus shelter and the task was being handed over to the town council.

“People have had to stand outside this shelter through all kinds of inclement weather. It is full of rubbish and is an absolute disgrace to the community.

“I use this bus shelter on a few occasions but I walk past it almost every day of the week.

“I have watched lots of schoolchildren standing out in the wind, rain and in the snow last winter. This makes me very angry indeed."

“I know that anything the council does is long drawn out but this delay beggars belief.”

A email sent to Mr Hughes – seen by the Journal – from the public transport department at Conwy Council said: “The shelter in question is in need of repair and as we understand, this is currently being considered by Abergele Town Council, but we haven’t yet got an indicative date for any repairs to take place.”

Cllr Sam Rowlands, county and town councillor, was keen to explain the background to the situation. 

"It has been in a state of disrepair for quite a long period of time, but we have been trying hard to get this sorted," he said. 

"Prices being quoted for the works were extortionate. Just to repair the slate roof was £6000 - we were getting quoted ridiculous prices. We were waiting for a resonable quote. 

"We are now working to bring all the bus shelters up to a good state of repair in Abergele. 

"We don't want any further delays. I can understand the situation is very frustrating. I have been frustrated. We just weren't comfortable to support the ridiculous prices being quoted. 

"We've now got a system in place to get all the bus shelters up to standard - we don't want to just repair one. The responsibility for upkeep/maintenance is coming under the town council and the works should be completed over the next few months."

The Journal has contacted the county council in relation to the shelter on  Maes Canol.

A spokesperson there confirmed: “The environment, roads and facilitates team is programmed to start week commencing July 9.”