'It is a total waste of money' - Anger as Edinburgh council repaint lines for bus stop unused for four years

Four bus stops which have been out of use for at least four years received an unexpected paint job after the council failed to tell contractors not to repaint over the lines.

The bus stops, on Craigentinny Avenue, had faded after years of use but stopped being used by buses several years ago.

However, as council workers finished a resurfacing job on the road they followed the instructions from the council to the letter, ignoring the lack of buses and repainting all of the lines on the road rather than just the centre line.

The incident was described by Conservative councillor Nick Cook as an “early April Fool”.

'I thought it was ridiculous'

One resident, Ken Campbell, said it was “waste of money and resources” and said the incident gave him no confidence in the council.

The 83-year-old told the Evening News: “It is a total waste of money and resources because there have not been any buses around here for a long time.

“I was on to the council to get the buses coming down here as it is quite a walk to the closest stop, and I would like buses to come back. But I have not heard anything at all despite the lines being painted.”

“I felt a lot of annoyance and I thought it was ridiculous.”

Mr Campbell added the incident showed the council could easily save money if they stopped making these types of mistakes.

He said: “They keep saying there is no money for this or that but they are doing this so who knows what else they are going to do?

“It doesn’t give me any confidence in the council at all, none whatsoever. They just seem to go and do what they want to do without talking to anyone.”

'Early April Fool'

A council spokesman said: “As part of a recent resurfacing project on this street, contractors have replaced road markings like-for-like, including at former bus stops.

“These lines will be removed by the contractors in the coming weeks - we apologise for any confusion this might cause to residents in the meantime.”

Conservative councillor and transport spokesman Nick Cook labelled the incident as being “beyond parody”.

He said: “Readers will be forgiven for laughing, perhaps thinking this story an early April Fool

“In reality this is beyond parody, a stunning example of the Council’s inefficiency, incompetence and blatant disregard for taxpayers’ money.

“The fact my constituents have to endure delay after delay to simple Traffic Regulation Orders wrangles further still.