Proposals to create extra bus stops in Wells have been criticised by town councillors, who said they were unnecessary and would add to congestion on already busy roads.

Proposals to create extra bus stops in Wells have been criticised by town councillors, who said they were unnecessary and would add to congestion on already busy roads.

Norfolk County Council plans to build seven extra stops in Wells as part of a programme aimed at updating and improving access to the county's 5,000 bus stops.

Although some of the suggested stops were accepted by Wells Town Council, two on Freeman Street and another two on Mill Road were not.

They were opposed on the basis that they would add to traffic problems on busy routes, reduce the potential for more parking bays and were too close to existing designated stops.

Mill Road resident Rosemary Shayes told a town council meeting on Monday that although her home was next to one of the proposed stops, she had not been contacted by county planners.

“I do not know who thought this up but they did not do their homework,” she said. “We all know this is one of the most congested roads, and speeding is also a problem. With the volume of traffic in the summer it is just unthinkable to even investigate bus stops.

“Any pedestrian or young mum with a pushchair will dice with death if they walk across the road.

The town council's portfolio holder for traffic, Campbell MacCullum, said: “I have had numerous calls and letters about it and I think it is absolutely ridiculous. Mill Road is one of the main routes into the town and it is already congested. We should strongly oppose it.”

John Birchall, communications officer for planning and transportation at Norfolk County Council, said: “There is no requirement to consult on the position of bus stops, but we think it is important to do so. In Wells we have asked for the views of people living nearby, as well as the town council and others.”