Rothwell shoppers spared hike after intervention from local councillors

11.03.39am GMT Wed 5th Sep 2007

Cllr Stewart Golton

Proposals that could have meant a long trek for shoppers arriving by bus in Rothwell look set to be amended. Phase II of the Morrisons development will see Meynell Avenue closed to traffic, with bus stops relocated during construction.

Local Rothwell councillors Stewart Golton and Don Wilson and Town Centre Manager Peter Mudge recently met with bus operators and Metro to discuss alternatives to the temporary stops proposed.

Cllr Don Wilson (Lib Dem, Rothwell) said, "The original plans would have meant that a lot of elderly people who need the bus to get into Rothwell would have faced a walk of two hundred yards before they even got to the shops. This would be a bad deal for shoppers and traders alike."

Representatives from Arriva and First Leeds were shown round alternative sites to make sure the positions were suitable for the movement of their vehicles.

The agreed best site was at the junction of Marsh Street with Commercial Street, and proposals have been put forward to make the necessary changes to allow buses to stop safely and provide a shelter for passengers.

Cllr Stewart Golton (Lib Dem, Rothwell) added, "Although there will be some disturbance, with the re-siting of a lamp post and a couple of benches, shoppers will access Commercial Street as well as they presently can by bus. We need to make shopping as convenient as possible to keep shops in Commercial Street busy while the last leg of the Morrisons development takes shape."