Action call over third world' bus facilities WEYMOUTH resembles a third world country' when it comes to facilities for bus passengers, claims a councillor.

Weymouth and Portland Borough councillor Doug Hollings says the image of the town is suffering as a result of poorly-maintained and derelict shelters.

A meeting of the environment and conservation committee next week will propose that £25,000 be made available to fund a bus shelter maintenance and replacement programme.

It follows a survey on the condition of council-owned bus shelters which found 16 out of 39 were in a poor condition.

Coun Hollings said: "I have been concerned about the status of bus shelters for some time and they need to be brought up to a reasonable standard."

A report to the committee says that Coun Hollings, the environment briefholder, has raised particular concerns about three shelters in his Wyke Regis ward.

It states: The environment brief holder believes they present an image of the borough that relates more to a third world country - rather than one of the richest nations in the world.

Equally they are pretty useless as shelters for residents wishing to use buses.

This is an issue which officers have been concerned about for many years, especially in the context of policies encouraging public transport use and pride in the local environment.' The survey reveals that of the 39 shelters only 20 can be categorised as being in either good or fair condition - three are derelict.

Urgent action is needed to make more money available because the annual budget allocation for bus shelter maintenance is just £3,600.

The report proposes that £25,000 be made available immediately from the financing reserve in 2006/07.

In future years the costs will be transferred to the On-Street Parking Account.

The account is due to be in surplus by 2008/09 at which point the profits, derived from resident pay and display, fines and permit costs, can be used to fund bus shelter maintenance.

The derelict bus shelters that need to be replaced as a matter of urgency are in Castle Road, All Saints Road and Rodwell Road.

Others in need of attention are Grove Road, Louviers Road, Portland Road and Weston Road.

The report states: In addition there is an urgent need for a bus shelter cleaning contract - whereby the glass etc could be washed at least monthly.

We have previously estimated the cost of this at approximately £5,000 per annum.' If the environment committee recommends the proposals the matter will be considered by the management committee, which will make a final decision.

The meeting is due to take place on September 18 at 6.30pm.

Coun Hollings, the environment briefholder, has raised particular concerns about three shelters in his Wyke Regis ward.

It states: The environment briefholder believes they present an image of the borough that relates more to a third world country - rather than one of the richest nations in the world.

Equally they are pretty useless as shelters for residents wishing to use buses.

This is an issue which officers have been concerned about for many years, especially in the context of policies encouraging public transport use and pride in the local environment.' The survey reveals that of the 39 shelters only 20 can be categorised as being in either good or fair condition - three are derelict.

Urgent action is needed to make more money available because the annual budget allocation for bus shelter maintenance is just £3,600.

The report proposes that £25,000 be made available immediately from the financing reserve in 2006/07.

In future years the costs will be transferred to the On-Street Parking Account.

Surplus The account is due to be in surplus by 2008/09 at which point the profits, derived from resident pay and display, fines and permit costs, can be used to fund bus shelter maintenance.

The derelict bus shelters that need to be replaced as a matter of urgency are in Castle Road, All Saints' Road and Rodwell Road.

Others in need of attention are Grove Road, Louviers Road, Portland Road and Weston Road.

The report states: In addition there is an urgent need for a bus shelter cleaning contract - whereby the glass etc could be washed at least monthly.

We have previously estimated the cost of this at approximately £5,000 per annum.' If the environment committee recommends the proposals the matter will be considered by the management committee, which will make a final decision.

The meeting is due to take place on September 18 at 6.30pm.