What is it about local councils and bus shelters in Malvern?

In the September 24 edition of the Malvern Gazette we read of a row over the siting of such a wretched contraption in the Belle Vue area, while a couple of pages away we read of a 50 per cent cut in the number 42 bus service.

To top that, Worcestershire County Council seems to have put its four penn'orth in with the assistance of Halcrow. It is promising the town three new bus bays at the revamped Great Malvern Station, at heaven knows what cost to the Council Tax-payer.

This act of dubious charity comes with the usual council logic. At a time when new stations are being built in commuter areas and car parks of existing stations are being enlarged to encourage rail use and thereby reduce congestion in the cities, what does Halcrow come up with?

Three new bus bays for non-existent buses and a car park reduced by almost half, from 60 spaces to 38.

Then they have the nerve to tell us that parking will be free! Who is paying for the re-vamp then? The tooth fairies?

Terry Ford, Clerkenwell Crescent, Malvern.