Fed up locals repair wind battered bus stop themselves after waiting a decade

Residents waiting nearly a decade for a council to repair one of the most wind-battered bus stops in Britain have fixed it themselves.

Locals have been complaining about the stop's condition for years after missing glass panels would leave commuters exposed to the elements.

Villagers of Evanton, Easter Ross, in Scotland reported shivering in the vandalised shelter, being hit by gale-force winds and the worst winter weather.

There were reported on issues with the shelter going back eight years.

Highland Council said back in October 2018 that glass panels had been measured up with replacements expected within weeks.

However the delays continued until the local community council decided to take action itself.

Evanton local Preston White, a regular attendee at community council meetings, said it had become "a standing joke" at meetings when the issue was raised under any other business month after month.

Kiltearn Community Council chairman John McHardy suggested locals fix the problem themselves and set about ordering the required steel.

Mr McHardy and Mr White were joined in the endeavour by engineer John Ross.

The work has made "a vast improvement" with a number of grateful locals commenting on the difference it has made.

The council is within an area of Easter Ross which benefits from some windfarm community benefit funding.

Looking back, Mr White said: "I remember being in the bus shelter in a blizzard before and the wind just swirled around inside.

''It was no fun if you were waiting for a bus - and that could take some time in itself!

"My wife was down there and a couple of people commented on what a difference the work had made."

Mr White added: "This is the time of year when the work will be appreciated."