MEMBERS of Todmorden Town Council are furious that their request for a bus shelter has been refused.

They are now to investigate how much each shelter costs before making a decision on whether to provide a shelter at Winterbutlee Road.

A letter from Metro's bus company told the councillors that a survey was carried out during surgery hours, and only one boarding passenger was seen using the stop.

Shelter manager Pam Sian said: "Unfortunately, this indicated that the passenger usage does not meet with Metro's criteria of at least 50 boarding passengers per day, and regret that I am unable to recommend the provision of a shelter at this site."

Coun Steve Martin said: "They are penalising elderly people who rely on the shelter if they have to shelter in the rain. Are they going to die because of the cold? That seems the only impression we can make."

The chairman, Coun Ruth Goldthorpe, said that when the council saw the shelters as a necessary service, they had them costed out and were told the shelters cost £20,000 each.

It was agreed to establish the cheapest bus shelter, and in the light of that to consider providing a shelter.