Parked Stagecoach buses in Peterborough a ‘hazard’, residents claim

There is growing frustration that the operator is allowing its buses on the Number 1 service to remain stationary for regular periods in Wistow Way despite appearing to impede the view of motorists trying to pull out of Linnet.

Residents living in the area said that drivers leaving the estate are unable to see traffic attempting to overtake the buses on Wistow Way, and that the problem has become far worse during the coronavirus pandemic.

This is because declining passenger numbers mean buses are getting to the stop earlier than expected and are having to wait around before going off again.

The Peterborough Telegraph was told that buses are often there for at least five minutes at a time before another takes its place a short time afterwards.

And on some occasions there are even said to be two buses lined up one behind the other.

Stagecoach said it is looking to amend the buses’ route and is in discussions with Peterborough City Council.

Roy Watts told the PT: “Some drivers are there for up to 10 minutes.

“Last week there were two buses waiting there with one very close to the roundabout (with Oundle Road) and one very close to the junction.

“They’re a hazard to the other road users. If they went round to the next bus lane they wouldn’t be a hazard to anybody.”

Another resident who lives off Wistow Way, but did not wish to be named, added: “I’m not the only one complaining about this.

“The stop is on a slope just behind a bend. It’s completely dangerous as the bus blocks the view of the vehicle coming out (of the estate) wanting to turn right.

“It’s not new but has got worse with buses virtually empty and having to hang around before they make the return journey.

“Four hundred yards on the road is flat, level and straight. If they stopped there they would prevent the hazard.”

A spokesperson for Stagecoach East said: “We are constantly listening to customer feedback and looking for ways to improve our services and address the needs of our passengers.

“We are currently working to resolve this issue in the Ortons area of Peterbrough by amending the route pattern of the Citi 1 service, which will help to redistribute waiting time.

“These changes will mean that the buses instead wait at Paulsgrove after completing the full loop of Orton. We are liasing with the local authorities to implement these changes and once these plans have been finalised further details will be available at stagecoachbus.com.”

Reacting to the Stagecoach statement, Cllr Julie Howell, Green Party member for Orton Waterville on the city council, said: “I’m not sure the residents of Paulsgrove will be very happy about this and wonder whether they have been consulted.

“It would be much better if Stagecoach found a stopping place that isn’t residential, such as Ortongate, or the busway that runs through Orton Brimbles.”

MP for North West Cambridgeshire Shailesh Vara, who has been contacted over the issue, said: “We have been in contact with Stagecoach in the past and been informed that this is an issue that concerns both the company and Peterborough City Council. I very much hope that the two parties will be able to work together with the view to resolving this.”