A STORM is brewing in Anchorsholme over a shelter which has been placed just eight metres from a couple's front window.

The structure has become a thorn in the side of Michelle and Walter Oakes - and the pedestrians they have narrowly missed when reversing out of their driveway - since it was erected outside their bungalow on Anchorsholme Lane East.

"It's too dangerous - the view to our left is obscured by the posts of the bus shelter which is only 55 inches from our drive," explained Mrs Oakes.

"Driving out on to the road is difficult as the bonnet of the car needs to be on the road before getting a clear view to the left.

"And reversing into the driveway is dangerous as the back of the car is across the pavement before gaining a clear view of pedestrians walking within the 48 inch gap between the shelter and our garden wall."

One elderly woman has already had a lucky escape, said Mrs Oakes, after stepping into the driveway to let someone pass just as Mr Oakes was reversing his car.

"The passengers have been very supportive," she added. "We have not invited comment, people have come up to us and told us they are disgusted."

The bus shelter was erected after councillors campaigned for more of them in the area, but no one was expecting Blackpool Council to put one there. Said ward Councillor Beverley Hill: "It's enormous and totally inappropriate for a residential area like this. It narrows the path which makes it hard to get past with a pushchair.

"Around the corner on North Drive near Warren Drive there is a shelter which is smaller and neater. That would be better." Councillor Peter Callow, who is determined to campaign for removal of the shelter on the Oakes' behalf, added: "We don't want passengers getting wet but common sense has to prevail."

Blackpool's chief engineer commented: "The requirement for the shelter came from residents and the ward councillors. Being a public shelter it doesn't need planning permission and was put in a location where there was already a bus stop.

"The matter has been discussed with councillors, we will review it but I don't believe the shelter will be moved unless it is causing a problem with public safety."

He added that 96 shelters had been newly installed throughout the town but this was the only one about which there had been complaints.

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