Residents complain about the state of Basingstoke's bus shelters

Maintenance for bus shelters in Basingstoke and Deane is the responsibility of the borough council, with Hampshire County Council responsible for the electronic display signs within the shelters that provide live passenger information.

The Gazette has been contacted several times regarding the condition of bus shelters within the borough, with particular reference to the shelters around Basingstoke railway station.

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A Gazette reporter visited the town centre on Tuesday, January 23 and asked a number of people waiting for buses at Basingstoke Bus Station what they thought of the area's shelters.

James Kelly, 34, said: "I don't think they're too bad really, some that are more out the way are probably worse than the ones around the town centre.

Basingstoke Bus Station (Image: Mark Paine)

"It's a shame that most bus stops are no longer plastic like they used to be. That used to keep the rain and wind out much better than the new style, but the bus stops get vandalised so I can understand it. That would be my only criticism, but that's not the councils or the bus services fault.

Carol Winks said: "I'm not too fussed about how dirty they are, I'd rather the buses just came when they said they would!

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"They’re forever either early or late which if you’re on a schedule is no good for people who rely on public transport."

A spokesperson for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said: "The majority of bus shelters in Basingstoke and Deane are owned by the borough council or Clear Channel UK. Clear Channel sell advertising space on the ones they are responsible for and maintain.

"Some bus shelters are owned by town or parish councils. The real-time information at shelters is provided by Hampshire County Council.

"Bus shelters are regularly inspected, with repairs and cleaning arranged as necessary. Our shelters are cleaned and jet washed by us.

"If we receive a report of a damaged or dirty bus shelter, we carry out the work on our shelters or contact Clear Channel about the ones the company maintains."

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “The maintenance of bus shelters in Basingstoke is the responsibility of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Hampshire County Council is responsible for the electronic display signs within the shelters that provide live passenger information.

"We are aware that currently five of the 79 displays in the Basingstoke area are currently out of service and are arranging for these to be fixed as soon as possible.”

To report a dirty or damaged bus shelter, visit basingstoke.gov.uk/bus-shelters.