Generous donor funds shelter
It’s a big thank you from East Devon District Council to the extraordinary local resident whose outstandingly generous financial donation has resulted in the installation today of a new bus shelter for Sidmouth.
Residents waiting to catch their bus at Sidmouth Triangle will no longer be at the mercy of the elements, as the brand spanking new shelter – kindly donated by this caring and community minded person – has now been installed by East Devon District Council in place of an earlier version, which was destroyed by vandals.
Budget cutbacks meant that the council had no funding to reinstate the shelter – much to the distress of local public transport users, who were extremely attached to this particular stop. So when the anonymous donor stepped into the breach to offer to fund a replacement, the Streetscene team got cracking and immediately placed an order for a brand new hardwood shelter.
Now, just five weeks later, the new shelter is in place – ready for the Britain in Bloom judging, which will be taking place on 18 July.
Councillor Iain Chubb, East Devon District Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “It’s an amazingly philanthropical gesture, which we are all bowled over by. We are indebted to this kind benefactor for making the bus shelter possible, but we also grateful to our Streetscene team for overseeing the purchase and installation of the new bus shelter ready for the summer season in Sidmouth. It looks incredibly smart and will, I am sure, be appreciated for many years to come.”
The Chairman of East Devon District Council, Councillor Stuart Hughes said: "The shelter at the Three Cornered Plot is an extremely well used and much loved bus stop, and it has been greatly missed over the past few months. I'm sure everyone in the town will join me in thanking the person behind this incredible act of generosity in providing the funding for a new wooden shelter, which is in keeping with this special area of the town.”
Sidmouth ward member, Councillor John Dyson said: “It is a wonderful gesture that this Sidmouth person has made to ensure that local commuters do not suffer needlessly as a consequence of the mindless vandalism that caused the original shelter to be damaged beyond repair. As such, the shelter will be a landmark example of the true community spirit that exists within the town.”
Photographs shows, from left to right: local commuters (holding thank you card), Sidmouth ward member Councillor Cathy Gardner (holding ribbon), Vice Chairman of East Devon District Council Cllr Helen Parr (cutting ribbon), Sidmouth ward member Cllr John Dyson (holding ribbon), Tim Harris and Douglas Coffin (East Devon District Council's Streetscene team, holding thank you card).
