Fowey bus stop removal due to safety concerns says boss

Richard Stevens said the call was "not made lightly" and safety was the "primary reason" for the decision

The boss of a bus firm says safety concerns are behind the decision to remove a bus stop in Cornwall.

More than 500 people signed a petition to save Fowey's Safe Harbour stop.

The managing director of bus firm, Go Cornwall, said the decision came after a bus crushed a bench with people sat on it at the stop.

Richard Stevens said the call was "not made lightly" and safety was the "primary reason" for the decision.

Go Cornwall is set to remove the stop in Fowey from January, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Some residents had opposed the move, saying an alternative stop on Hanson Drive might be less safe as it did not have lighting or a shelter.

'Unacceptable risk'

The area in front of the Safe Harbour Inn, at the junction of Lostwithiel Street, Cobbs Well and Brown's Hill, has been used as a transport hub for more than 100 years, with horse-drawn coaches picking up passengers before the advent of the motorised bus.

Mr Stevens apologised for the "discomfort and distress this has caused residents" and said several "near misses" had been a factor.

"The decision to discontinue the bus service at Safe Harbour Fowey was not made lightly and was based on a comprehensive assessment of several factors, including safety considerations."

He said the bus company had experienced numerous incidents since 2020 involving near misses and more seriously crushing the bench outside the pub on multiple occasions.

"The final occasion there were people sitting on the bench. This is an unacceptable risk," Mr Stevens added.

He also said limited manoeuvrability, congestion and difficulties in safely reversing buses at the terminus were also factors.

Mr Stevens is due to attend a site meeting with Fowey's Cornwall councillor Andy Virr in November to discuss the issue.

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