A COUNCILLOR has revealed the reason for the delay in fixing a bus shelter which has been closed off to passengers for nine months.

Last week, the Journal reported the bus shelter - at Maes Canol, Abergele - is scheduled for repair on July 9.

The shelter is currently full of leaves and rubbish and passengers, including school children, have been left with no choice but to wait for the bus in all kinds of inclement weathers. Metal fencing has been put up, stopping people from entering.

Cllr Sam Rowlands, county and town councillor, said that repairs had taken so long to organise as the local authority had been quoted "extortionate" prices for the works.

He added: "It has been in a state of disrepair for quite a long time, but we have been trying hard to get it sorted.

"Prices quoted for the works were extortionate. For example, just to repair the slate roof was £6000 - we were waiting for a reasonable 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."

Parent Loreen McEvilly said that money should safety should come first - not the cost to repair.

She said her son, 10, who attends Ysgol Sant Elfod in Abergele, and other school children, have cut their legs on the wire fencing and ripped their trousers.

Loreen said: "The council should not even be considering how much it will cost to repair. They should be putting the children's safety and well being first.

"I find it shocking that the bus stop has been closed for so long, rather than being maintained. Many children, including my son, have ripped their school trousers and coats of the fencing. Parts of the fencing are broken and bits are sticking out.

"There hasn't even been a temporary bin allocated to the bus stop and the council know how busy it is there for the children that attend the local schools.

"Something needs to be done before next winter approaches - us mums, dads, children and the elderly have all been standing out with no shelter in all weathers.

"Just because the council don't want to pay out for fixing the roof, I am sure they would be paying a lot more out if a child ended up with a scar or infection from the rusty metal fencing."

Cllr Rowlands admitted the fence had been up for a while.

"We will look to ensure they are still safe and appropriately placed,"

A spokesperson from Conwy County Borough Council said: "The environment, roads and facilitates team is programmed to start week commencing July 9.”