WEST Somerset public transport campaigner Linda Sparks won support this week for a bid to improve infrastructure for bus passengers in Minehead.

Ms Sparks, who lives in Williton and works in Minehead, highlighted how the bus stop outside the West Somerset Railway station lacked a shelter and a bench.

She told how she recently had to help an elderly man at the station bus stop who was unable to stand for long enough while waiting for a bus to arrive.

Ms Sparks said: “It upset me. He was confused and I had to help walk him to the Beach Hotel across the road to sit down.

“Elderly people are suffering here and I would like to help them.

“The bus stop is on the seafront and in the winter it is very cold and people have to stand without shelter from the wind and the rain.

“I got soaked and wet through waiting there a while ago.

“I approached Somerset Council who say they do not have enough funds.

“But they get thousands of pounds from the public so they must have money to do it.”

Earlier this year, Ms Sparks complained about late and no-show First Bus services on the No 28 route between Minehead and Taunton, which prompted talks between the council and the company bosses.

Later, there was a noticeable improvement in reliability on the route and First Bus continued to recruit new drivers.

Minehead town Cllr John Malin told the Free Press he would do all he could to support Ms Sparks’ campaign to improve bus stops.

Cllr Malin said he regularly used the railway station bus stop and knew that even on a sunny day it could still be a chilly spot.

He said: “At the very least there should be a seat there, but it is in a conservation area so any shelter would have to be carefully thought about.”

Former Minehead Mayor Terry Venner also threw his support behind the campaign and pointed out that none of Minehead’s bus stops even had a raised kerb.

Mr Venner said the only shelter was outside the Co-op supermarket, while a new shelter put up on the cycleway being built in Ellicombe was 15 metres away from the bus stop.

He said: “But at Withycombe Straight on the middle of nowhere there is a raised kerb and a shelter which nobody uses.

“If they want to promote public transport they need to put in the infrastructure first.

“The whole infrastructure needs to be looked at.

“I totally support the lady’s campaign, I think it is very worthwhile.”

Somerset Council has been asked to comment on the issue.