Cranfield's New Bus Shelters

Cranfield's New Bus Shelters
People who live in Cranfield enjoy its rural atmosphere and open aspect; it is a delight to be a Cranfield Villager.  However, this delight can pale when you are waiting for a bus at an exposed bus stop whilst being lashed by a cold, wet winter storm!  So, last year Cranfield Parish Council decided to install a number of new bus shelters in the village.  In order to keep in line with Parish Council's policy of not increasing the village precept the number of shelters that can be bought and installed each year has to be limited.  This year three have been installed and made operational in November; two on the High Street near Lodge Road and one on Mill Road near to Portnall Place. 
On the basis of quality and price the Parish Council selected the Queensbury ‘Arun' two-bay shelter and, depending on location, some have been installed with side panels. The new specification for bus shelters requires that the surface beneath the shelter should be elevated. This is to assist those of us who have lost a little spring in our step, or have some more serious form of mobility impairment or simply are trying to get on a bus together with a push-chair, baby and toddler.  In addition the edge of the pavement within the confines of the shelter is equipped with tactile plates so that the visually impaired can detect the edge of pavement before attempting to step onto a bus. Because the two shelters on the High Street are not in a well lit location they have been equipped with a solar lighting system.  This provides a low light during periods of darkness or low daylight with power supplied from batteries charge by sunlight.