RESIDENTS from a West Devon village have been say they are angry and disappointed after their proposal to build a bus stop closer to their homes was declined.

The suggestion to build a third bus stop in Merton came after concerns were raised by residents who struggled to get from one end of the village to the other.

The decision not to go ahead with the bus stop was made at a parish council meeting last month.

Merton resident Mrs Joyce Gray said she felt let down by the decision.

She said: 'We want the bus stop, but can't get enough enthusiasm from bus users.

'There are 22 people who signed the petition, but only six turned up at the parish council meeting.

'We want the bus stop closer to the top of the village, to enable those that struggle to and from their homes.

'We need a bus stop sign, painted on the road, so as not to spoil people's views of Dartmoor, but to make it official for buses to stop.

'There is a straight piece of road that is perfectly viable for buses to stop.'

Vice-chairman of Merton Parish Council Chris Loughton said: 'There are already two bus stops in the village, both which have a bus shelter.

'The suggested site that could possibly be a suitable place, isn't considered to be safe.

'The difference in distance from where the bus stop is now, to where the proposed one would be, is just over 200 metres.

'The parish council are all in agreement that the village does not require the bus stop at this present time and it will be reviewed again at a later date.'

A Devon County Council spokesman said the county council was keen to improve access to public transport wherever possible.

'We had originally found a location for the bus stop on the A386 but that was not deemed suitable so we will now wait for the views of the parish council on this issue,' the spokesman said.