BUS shelters to protect residents from the wind and rain have now been installed after an 18-month battle.
The new wooden shelters in Honeysuckle Way and Bramble Road, Witham, were put up last month after residents and local councillors requested the shelters back in June 2011.
After a failed funding application to Braintree District Council's Mi Community scheme, on the grounds the shelters were not an ongoing community project, the money was granted last September when members of the Witham Area Forum – set up by Greenfields housing – contacted Essex County Council.
Retired Mary Beckett, who helped campaign for the shelters, said: "I've used it a few times now. It's brilliant."
The two shelters were installed this month at a cost of £7,000 each and have delighted people in the area.
Paul Hawes, 78, of Bramble Road, was also instrumental in getting the shelters installed.
"They are lovely," he said.
"The people using them are very pleased – my wife uses it and they have a seat so she can sit down and wait. It means people don't have to get wet any more."
Witham town councillors Bill Rose and Patrick Horner supported the residents in their bid for the bus shelters.
Cllr Rose said: "They are nice polished wood and are in keeping with the green.
"It's good to see something positive come out of the partnership working for the benefit of the community. It shows how it can come together. I'm really pleased."
Ken Davies, chairman of Withham Area Forum, said: "The residents are delighted with the shelters as they now have protection from the elements. It was two members of the forum in particular who instigated the project: Paul Hawes and Mary Beckett.
"They worked with Braintree District Council, Essex County Council and Witham Town Council to get them built. We would like to especially thank Cllr Bill Rose and Cllr Patrick Horner for their support."
