Petitioners demand buses be allowed to stop in the Morledge (Derby City Liberal Democrats)

Derby City Liberal Democrats <info@derbycitylibdems.org.uk>

Petitioners demand buses be allowed to stop in the Morledge

September 6, 2010 3:42 PM

Local Liberal Democrats are running a petition calling on Conservative Council bosses to keep space for buses stops in the Morledge.

Many users of the numbers 28, 29 and 33 buses that go through the Mackworth Estate and Littleover are angry that the council plans to stop these buses dropping and collecting passengers in the Morledge, outside the bus station.

The Council consulted on plans for the rebuild of The Morledge last year, and the plans included five bus stops. There were no adverse comments about the bus stops. The design now being constructed has scrapped space for bus stops. This has prompted local Liberal Democrats to launch a campaign to let buses stop in the Morledge.

Derby North Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson Lucy Care said "Some bus services have no natural terminus as they stop at several points around the city centre, but being able to stop near the bus station makes sense. At the weekend I spoke to many people at the Littleover Fun Day about this change to the plans for The Morledge. Many, many people were felt that The Morledge should continue to have space for buses to stop. People were very happy to sign our petition and support the campaign.

"Space in The Morledge is needed for taxis, blue badge parking and deliveries, but this shouldn't be at the total exclusion of bus stops. The Conservative run council should listen to the people and ensure that the Morledge will still have space for buses to stop."

Mackworth Liberal Democrat Cllr Derrick Tuplin added "This is one of the main concerns that people have in Mackworth at the moment. People are angry about the lack of consultation. It's a real inconvenience for local bus users that the number 28 and 29 buses will be prevented from stopping in The Morledge.

"At the next Derby City Council meeting, Liberal Democrat Councillors will be challenging the Conservatives to change their minds on this issue."

If people would like copies of the petition they can contact Lucy Care at lucy.care@ntlworld.com or on Derby 298934.

The petition wording reads "I/we the undersigned ask that The Morledge is built with space for buses to stop. Regardless of whether this space is used now, including space for buses is common sense for future flexibility."