Couple fight council over 'ludicrous' bus stop

A couple say they are prepared to fight a council in court after a bus stop and a "no waiting" sign were installed in front of their home.

Terry and Kim Penton said the "ludicrous" move prevented delivery drivers from stopping to supply their house in Little Dunmow, Essex, with heating oil.

They claim Essex Highways did not consult them on the installation, which happened in November.

The roads authority said it was due to meet Mr and Mrs Penton to discuss the issue in due course.

The couple said they had been relying on the goodwill of neighbours to take them barrels of oil, saying delivery drivers feared being fined for stopping.

"It has caused us huge problems," said Mr Penton, 69.

"What gets me the most is we haven't been consulted. Not once have we had a letter or anyone knock on our door."

He and his wife Kim, 66, were surprised to see the new signs after returning from a day out.

Mr Penton said it had "totally upturned" their lives and people onboard double-decker buses could now see inside their conservatory.

"We will challenge [the council] in court if we need to. It's a dangerous thing what they've done," he added.

"It's just destroyed everything we dreamed of, of both retiring and living a quiet life."

Martin Foley, the Essex county council ward member, has been supporting the Pentons, and he branded the move "bonkers".

"You've just got to move [the bus stop] to a more appropriate place," he said.

"I would like to see that done immediately, as quickly as it can possibly be done, because it's daft."

Foley, of the Residents for Uttlesford party, added: "It shouldn't have happened. I think that's it in a nutshell – it's bonkers."

Essex Highways said it had been reviewing the issue.

A spokesman said: "As an interim arrangement, we have advised the homeowner to instruct his fuel delivery driver to park where the property's access overlaps with the bus cage markings.

"We will be visiting the location next week to meet the homeowner and discuss the issue in further detail."

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