A ‘mouldy, graffitied’ bus stop has been erected in a Reading suburb in the wake of a controversial housing project.

Neighbours of Coley Park have voiced their ‘disgust’ at the temporary shelter, which replaced a terminus in Wensley Road that closed when construction began on 46 new houses.

A bus sign had been in place since the terminus closed over a year ago until May 27, when the dirty shelter appeared in nearby Lesford Road.

“It is disgraceful. It’s got graffiti all over it. With all this rain it stinks of all the mould. Even the bus times have been smashed up,” said Lesford Road resident Peter Turner, 81.

Reading Chronicle: Dirt on the roof of the bus stop, photographed by Suzanna Krykant Dirt on the roof of the bus stop, photographed by Suzanna Krykant

“If anybody comes here who don’t know us, they’ll think we’re a load of bloody hooligans over here.”

 “It doesn’t give a good image of Coley Park.”

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The bus stop seems to have reignited frustration with the housing project, which saw 600 people sign a petition against it in 2020.

The plan was passed by a majority in August the same year to help tackle the housing crisis, the leader councillor for housing said at the time.

Suzanna Krykant, from Wensley Road, was one of the petitioners, who said: “When I look out of my window, all I can see is a great big boarding with ‘Reading Borough Council is working with you to improve your community,’ and they put that bus stop up.

Reading Chronicle: Graffiti photographed by Suzanna Krykant Graffiti photographed by Suzanna Krykant

“I mean I wouldn’t call it an improvement, would you?”

“It looks like it’s salvaged to me, they haven’t even cleaned it, it’s disgusting.”

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A spokesperson for Reading Borough Council said the shelter is temporary and is one of only two spare bus shelters owned by the Council.

“We were unable to relocate the previous Wensley Road bus shelter at the new temporary location on Lesford Road, as that one was installed with permanent foundations and electrical supply.

“This makes it unsuitable as a temporary solution. However that one is being stored and will be re-installed at a suitable site at the new terminus stop when works have been completed.

“In the meantime, we have requested that the Streetscene team give the current temporary shelter a thorough clean and remove the graffiti on it, which is scheduled for Wednesday 8 June.”