PARISH councillors in West Auckland are worried that repeated vandalism will lead to bus shelters being removed from the village.
However, county bosses say they will tackle anti-social behaviour rather than remove the facilities after two bus shelters were damaged three times this year.
In the latest incident vandals smashed glass panels on the side of one of the shelters.
West Auckland parish councillor Neil Simpson condemned the vandalism and said he was worried for their future in the village.
He said: “This is going to be at the cost of our council tax, or they [county officers] might take them out altogether. Just think what it is like for people going to work at 5.30am and waiting for a bus at a temperature of -10C when the person putting them [glass panels] out is still in bed.”
Police have confirmed they are looking into the problem.
A spokesperson said: “Police were called at 7.40pm on Monday, February 15, to reports of a bus shelter window being smashed on East Green, in West Auckland.
“We also received report of another bus shelter on Front Street being damaged at about 8.20pm on February 8.
“Enquiries into both incidents are ongoing.”
Meanwhile the county council has reassured people in the village that their bus shelters will not be removed.
A spokesman said: “We are aware that the two bus shelters in West Auckland have been damaged on three separate occasions this year.
“This follows one incident of vandalism in 2020 and two in 2019. We appreciate the benefit to people of providing a shelter when waiting to travel by bus and will address the vandalism issues rather than remove the shelters.
“We will be working with colleagues in our anti-social behaviour teams and officers from Durham Constabulary to see if those responsible can be identified.”
