Why We Need to Move the Bus Stop on Calverton Road — And Why It Shouldn’t Be Controversial

For several months now, I’ve been calling on Nottinghamshire County Council and Via East Midlands to relocate a single bus stop.

Not add a new one. Not change a route. Not redesign the whole network.

Just move one bus stop a few yards up Calverton Road to a safer, more accessible location. And after months of delays, internal contradictions, and online pushback from some very vocal individuals, it’s time to set the record straight.

🚶 The Problem: A Bus Stop That Endangers the Very People Who Use It Most

I drive the Calverton service for Trent Barton every day. One of our outbound stops toward Calverton, located just outside 27/29 Calverton Road near St Mary’s Close, is positioned over a private driveway with no raised kerb. That might not sound like a big deal — unless you're elderly, disabled, pushing a pram, or using a walking aid.

Even with the bus kneeling function deployed, the drop to the pavement is significant. Many passengers struggle to get on and off safely. I see it with my own eyes, daily. This isn’t an abstract debate. It’s real-world, lived experience.

📄 The Evidence: FOI Disclosures and Officer Acknowledgements

Through a Freedom of Information request, I obtained internal council documents that confirm:

  • No Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) was done specifically for this stop
  • Council officers acknowledged in writing that the current location is "not ideal"
  • Nearby relocation (just before St Mary’s Close by the flats) was never properly assessed
  • Raised kerbs were not installed, despite this being part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) strategy

In fact, the internal documents show officers were more focused on painting yellow clearway lines and enforcing them than ensuring safe, accessible boarding for bus passengers.

⚠️ The Backlash: When Fixing a Problem Becomes a Target

After sharing this concern on social media, some individuals claimed I was exaggerating, scaremongering, or "trying to score points." Let me be clear:

  • ❌ I'm not calling for an extra stop
  • ❌ I'm not acting on behalf of any political group
  • ✅ I am doing my job as a driver and union rep: to speak up for passengers who deserve better

Trying to twist this into a culture war or personal vendetta doesn't just miss the point — it endangers the wellbeing of the very people public services are supposed to serve.

🚇 The Solution: A Safer, Smarter Location Just Yards Away

The stop should be moved just before St Mary’s Close, outside the flats near the alleyway and postbox. Here's why:

  • ✅ There's a wider pavement
  • ✅ There’s space for a raised kerb
  • ✅ It avoids blocking residential driveways
  • ✅ It improves access for mobility users, elderly passengers, and parents with prams

This is a practical, low-cost change that improves safety and access without adding delays or affecting route timings.

🔁 What Happens Next

I've formally requested the County Council revisit this location under accessibility grounds and provide a proper EqIA. I'm also asking local councillors, Michael Payne MP, and Gedling Borough Council to support the relocation. A follow-up FOI letter is now in with further questions they must legally answer.

This isn’t about scoring points. It’s about safe boarding. Dignity. Accessibility. Doing the right thing.

Thank you to everyone who’s supported this so far. To others: the evidence is now public. Let’s fix the stop.

Lee Odams
Branch Secretary, RMT Notts & Derbyshire Bus Branch

Secretary of the RMT National Industrial Organising Conference of Busworkers 

Driver, Trent Barton Calverton Route, Public Transport Campaigner

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