Furious couple get home to find council installed bus stop at end of driveway

A gobsmacked couple returned home from work to find a brand new bus stop blocking their driveway. The unexpected addition has caused some big issues, with buses now pulling up directly in front of their house and obstructing their access.

Christopher Harris and Michelle Smith, who live on Llantrisant Road in Beddau, South Wales Valleys, told WalesOnline they were aware of plans for a bus stop in their street, but it was supposed to be further up the road. However, when Mr Harris came home last Thursday, he found the bus stop had been installed outside his house, complete with a pole in his hedge, leaving him utterly baffled.

Since then, he's had numerous buses park up at the end of his driveway, effectively trapping him inside his property. The situation is exacerbated when buses are running early and decide to wait out their schedule right in front of his house.

• M60 traffic LIVE: Rush hour chaos as crash causes massive queues on two motorways
• Westminster Bridge closed as police issue urgent warning to avoid area

Mr Harris said he'd spoken to one of the bus drivers about the inconvenient new stop. The driver sympathised with him, agreeing that the bus stop should never have been placed at the end of a driveway.

And things are set to get even more chaotic now the school term has started, with dozens of children expected to gather outside their house every morning, reports the Mirror.

He expressed his frustration, saying: "On Saturday morning he was parked there for a while and I said: 'Nothing against you mate, but you're blocking my driveway. He called his company and told them that a bus stop was blocking the house and he said he totally agreed with me that it wasn't right. He was good as gold. So we'll see what comes of it now because it can't go on like this.

"I have threatened that if buses continue to block my drive then I will block the bus stop. I'll have no choice. When I saw the plans it was supposed to be up the road so I didn't take any notice. But we had parking spaces outside our house and now we've lost those spaces.

"That wasn't in any consultation. At no point did they ever say the stop would be there. When I got home from work last week I was honestly in disbelief.

"They've put the post in my hedge and the bus stop is literally right at the end of my drive. The buses are being told to stop right on a dropped kerb which I'm sure isn't legal.

"Of course, by the time I realised all of this they'd finished. So far everyone I've spoken to hasn't been able to help me. Not only have we lost parking spaces outside the house without notice, we're often being blocked into our own drive."

A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council confirmed they would investigate the issue, adding: "Adding the new bus stop within Beddau is intended to improve access to local bus services for the community. Officers have received the concerns raised by the resident and will look into them as a priority issue."

Mr Harris voiced his frustration, saying: "I've got the local councillor coming out to see me because this is just ridiculous. I'm also waiting for the traffic officer to give me a call. When you Google it there is plenty of information online about why a bus stop should not be placed on a dropped kerb. I can't believe it's been put there."

He added: "The bus stops have been moved to accommodate the school kids. So I could have God knows how many kids smack outside my gates every day. What happens when I open my gates and try to get my car out in the morning?".