SIR — Users of the Harestock bus know that last year Stagecoach instructed drivers NOT to pick up passengers outside the library. Reasons given were “confusion and danger” caused by arrivals of No. 1 Stanmore bus displaying Harestock, but being destined for the bus station.

Transport policies encourage people to leave cars at home and use buses. The absence of a Jewry Street pick-up point for Harestock passengers with the only alternative being City Road conflicts with this objective: 1. It is well known that bus use depends on stops in town centres being near each other, but the distance between the Brooks and the library is already excessive; 2. Making passengers go further, in all weathers, is unacceptable and discriminates against Harestock users; 3. City Road stops are less pleasant for waiting and less used; 4. To encourage bus use the prestige Discovery Centre needs excellent transport links outside the library, not out of sight; 5. Some elderly people find it difficult to walk the extra distance; 6. Finishing times of services at Jewry Street churches mean that having to walk further often results in missing the hourly No. 1 Sunday service; 7. When Friarsgate Practice moves to Weeke, more people will require the Harestock bus. The extra distance to City Road may be intolerable for disabled or unwell patients.

I have been pursuing this issue through HCC Passenger Transport Department since January, and thought in July that the problem was resolved. The county found funding for an additional bus shelter and the city council arranged for this to be erected, but a week later it ‘disappeared’ — because it did not match the existing one! Apparently this abortive attempt has now used up all money available.

Maurice K Charrett, Hampton Lane, Winchester.