Village trail blazer

Feb 23 2008 by nick lavigueur, Hudd Sat

A SHINY new bus shelter has been installed in the tiny village of Thurstonland.

But this is no ordinary bus shelter – it is the first solar powered bus shelter in Kirklees.

Located on Marsh Hall Lane, the new shelter was paid for by the West Yorkshire Rural Transport Partnership, which is administered by Metro on behalf of Yorkshire Forward.

Solar power means that the shelter will be continually lit and will provide better security and comfort for passengers.

The clear glass sides mean that passengers are able to see the bus approaching and the drivers can see passengers that are sitting down.

Metro, West Yorkshire’s public transport organisation, also claim that modern shelters tend to attract less anti-social behaviour.

A Metro Spokesman said: "We are keen to use innovative ways of making travel easier for passengers.

“Being solar powered, this modern shelter is environmentally friendly and economic to install at this location where there is no easily-available power supply.”

(Pic ref: zzhud080208solarshelter1)