AN HISTORIC wooden bus shelter in Kingsbury which is said to have been erected in the 1950s is set to be demolished.

The bus stop – which is the last wooden shelter remaining in the village – is ready to be replaced by a modern metal and plastic design.

But former resident Lisa Hartle, who grew up in the village, said she is "disgusted" at the decision because she previously offered to help raise money to restore the shelter.

And Lisa said this week that, had she been consulted, she would have helped to raise the cash for its like-for-like replacement.

In an email to the Kingsbury Parish Council, she "begged" to be given time to "raise the necessary amount to have the parts replaced or a replica made".

But the council voted for the demolition of the current structure and members asked for the new shelter to exactly match one on the opposite side of the road, with a transparent plastic rear panel.

Lisa told the Herald this week: "Because it had been vandalised I contacted the parish council and said I could raise money for the repairs.

"It's not just a bus shelter, it's a part of the village's history."

She added: "I am so upset. It is a bit of history and culture that is being lost."

Lisa said she wanted to restore the shelter to "its former glory". But despite "several emails" the vote was made to remove it.

"It is such a lovely bus shelter and so fitting for a village as opposed to the green metal type at the other end of the village," Lisa added.

"I do not even live there and I was prepared to raise money to save the shelter.

"It is just because I grew up there and that it means so much to me."

The bus shelter is located on the A51 Tamworth Road, near Ralph Crescent.

Local councillor Brian Moss said the shelter had been subjected to vandalism and graffiti over the years.

The council had originally allocated some funds to repair the shelter, but investigations showed that the wood was rotten.

Cllr Moss said: "Lisa had offered to get a band of volunteers to do up the old shelter. The parish council granted to spend up to £100.

"But the four main posts were absolutely rotted."

He added: "When we went to see the shelter, one of the problems raised was that children misbehave in it. A plastic window would deter that.

"It is a much-loved shelter, but I really think it has come to the end of its days.

"It's very sad."

What do you think? Email heraldletters@cintamworth. co.uk or write by post to The Editor, the Herald, Central Independent News and Media, Ventura Park Road, Bitterscote, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3LZ.