MOVING a bus stop 10 yards up the road could cost ratepayers £2,000.

A bus shelter in Wigan Road, Atherton was removed and replaced practically in the same spot after nearby residents complained it was an attraction for noisy youngsters.

One local told The Journal:"It's ridiculous - a complete waste of public funds. The shelter may as well have been left in the same place for all the difference this move will make.

"What would happen if everyone who has a bus stop near their home asks for it to be moved elsewhere? It would cost millions - who will pay for that?"

A GMPTE spokeswoman said its contract with bus shelter franchise holders JC Decaux allowed for five per cent of shelters to be moved without cost to the bus operators.

She agreed the cost of moving a shelter was around £2,000 but said at present it was impossible to say if the expense would be incurred and deducted from GMPTE's local authority-funded budget.

The spokesman said GMPTE listened to all complaints regarding bus stop siting but action largely depended on road safety matters.

She said:"The bus stop in Wigan Road has been moved 30 metres following complaints.

"It has been moved as far away from homes as possible following consultations with the highways authority and police."

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