RESIDENTS of Exbourne will no longer have to sing in the rain while waiting for buses to Okehampton and Exeter when a new bus shelter springs up in a couple of weeks time.

West Devon Borough Council's planning committee has granted planning permission for a bus shelter on the forecourt of Exbourne Cross Garage, despite some initial safety concerns.

A site meeting was held at the location because of worries that vehicles coming into and leaving the garage would pose a danger to people walking across the forecourt to get to the bus shelter. There was also concern over the lack of footpaths to get to the site.

But the application by Exbourne Parish Council received no objections from the County Highways Authority and planners were told at their recent meeting that Devon County Council had indicated that it intended to construct a footway to the shelter by April.

The parish council said the bus shelter was necessary during inclement weather and might encourage local inhabitants to use the limited bus service, thereby ensuring its viability.

Vice chairman of the parish council John Stoneman said he was delighted that the application was supported.

'The location is an already recognised stop and as it is on the main route for buses to Exeter and Okehampton we felt it was important that people were able to shelter from the weather, especially the elderly,' he said.

'The garage has very kindly made a space equivalent to two cars available for the shelter and we hope to have it up within a couple of weeks.'

The bus shelter project is a partnership between Exbourne Parish Council and Devon County Council.