Sheringham campaigners continue protest as contractors fence off 1950s bus shelter
A dispute over a historic bus shelter’s future escalates with fencing added to the site, with campaigners still inside
Contractors working on the demolition of a 1950s bus shelter in Sheringham have added metal fencing around the site early this morning, escalating a dispute with campaigners who have been protesting to save the structure.
At around 6:30am today (5th December), fencing was installed at the Station Approach location, leaving only a small access point thought to allow protesters currently inside the shelter to leave.
Campaigner Liz Withington highlighted this development during a live stream on Facebook.
Campaigners have been camped out at the shelter in a bid to stop its demolition, which is part of Norfolk County Council’s plans for a new transport hub in the town aimed at improving safety, accessibility, and capacity.
The dispute has drawn attention, with North Norfolk MP Steff Aquarone saying he sympathises with campaigners and calling for discussions to find a solution that balances the needs of the community and transport users while adhering to guidelines set by the council.
“We need to have an open-minded discussion and creatively think about how we can make this all work,” Aquarone said, emphasizing that passenger safety should be the top priority of any investment in public transport while also addressing issues of accessibility and service capacity.
Norfolk County Council has defended its decision to replace the old shelter and expressed concerns over the safety risks posed by the protest, calling on campaigners to leave the area immediately.
A spokesperson said, “Retaining the existing shelter is not a viable option,” noting extensive engagement with the community that contributed to the design of the new hub.
The council warned against disruptions and emphasized that works must proceed safely to deliver the new transport amenity as quickly as possible for the benefit of residents and visitors to Sheringham.
The situation remains ongoing with campaigners still holding their position at the fenced-off site.