Moffat bus shelter petition backed

Nov 18 2009 by Julie Watt, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

MORE THAN 500 people have signed a petition against the relocation of a bus stop in Moffat’s town centre.

Sheila Johnstone of Adamson’s Coffee House on the High Street launched the petition a couple of weeks ago and is “overwhelmed” with the amount of support she has received.

Under the proposals, which are part of the Moffat and District Community Initiative’s regeneration plans, the bus stop could be moved from its original site outside the town hall to directly outside Mrs Johnstone’s business.

But this caused outrage among local businesses who say it will “drastically” change the look of their town.

Gavin Struthers, who works in the coffee shop, told the Standard: “We are delighted with the number of signatures gathered so early on.

“We have been getting overwhelming support from both locals and tourists.

“Everyone who has signed the petition has agreed that the relocation of the bus stop would drastically change the look of the town.”

The controversial plans will also mean a loss of car parking spaces which Mrs Johnstone, who has owned her business for seven years, says will devastate the tourism industry.

Petitions can be found in shops throughout Moffat town centre.