The long-running saga over a bus shelter that residents have been battling to save looks set to draw to a close.
Uncertainty over the future of the structure in Red Lane, between Swarthmoor and Great Urswick, has lingered for more than a year.
But Pennington Parish Council minutes from October 10 stated that the council had resolved to uphold the decision to replace the bus shelter, which is used by schoolchildren and sits just off the Birkrigg Park estate.
Estate resident Sophie Goodall said: “It just needs to be fit for purpose because sometimes there’s 20 children there waiting to get the bus.”
Minutes from June of last year said the council clerk had asked the parish council to consider the option of removing the shelter completely due to the cost of continually replacing the panes.
The minutes from October 10 of this year, which confirmed the shelter was to be replaced, said: “Ownership of the shelter by the parish council and the right to remove, replace and or relocate it has been confirmed through Cumbria County Council and a solicitor.”
The minutes said the council had agreed to give residents the opportunity to offer input into aspects of the configuration of the new shelter.
“It was confirmed that grant funding is available for bus service/infrastructure and a grant application will be submitted,” said the minutes.
“The decision of the parish council to replace the shelter is hereby noted as final and updates will be provided as necessary.”
Birkrigg Park estate resident Kathleen Dobson previously said the shelter was vital to protecting children from the elements.
She said: “Would you want them to turn up at school absolutely soaking wet and drenched to start their school day, or dry and safe from traffic?”
In August, it was reported that more than 70 residents had signed a petition calling for the shelter to be retained and repaired.
Miss Goodall questioned why the structure was being replaced rather than fixed, but said: “As long as we have a bus shelter for our children, I’m not really bothered where it’s come from.”
