THOUSANDS of bus stops across Wiltshire are set for a revamp after Wiltshire Council awarded a new five-year contract to improve infrastructure countywide.

The authority has appointed Bus Shelters Ltd to upgrade and replace bus stops, shelters and passenger information displays across the county under a contract running until March 2030.

Wiltshire has more than 4,900 bus stops and around 800 bus shelters, currently owned and maintained by a mix of organisations including the council, bus operators and some town and parish councils.

The £2 million programme for this year, funded by the Department for Transport, will focus on replacing ageing and dilapidated infrastructure, improving existing shelters and installing new ones where needed.

Updated passenger information, including timetable cases, flags and poles, will also form part of the rollout.

Work is now under way to develop a delivery plan with safety issues due to be tackled first before wider upgrades begin.

All 18 community areas in Wiltshire will benefit, although improvements will be phased over several years.

Cabinet member for highways Cllr Martin Smith said: “We know how important good-quality bus infrastructure is for residents, and this funding gives us a real opportunity to improve the experience of public transport across Wiltshire.

“This project is generating a great deal of interest across our communities, which is fantastic to see. We do, however, ask for a little patience.

“We will be upgrading bus stops and shelters in all 18 of our community areas, but it will take time to reach every location.

“To maximise efficiency and ensure we improve as many bus stops and shelters as possible, we’ll be working through the county in a phased approach.

“With thousands of assets across the county, it will take time to review, repair, and prioritise these improvements, but we’re delighted to have our contractor Bus Shelters Ltd on board.”

Managing director of BSW Group Richard Thomas said: “We’re delighted to have been appointed as Wiltshire’s supplier for bus infrastructure improvements for the next five years.

“We draw on our experience with other authorities across the UK and are confident the rollout of new infrastructure, enhanced maintenance and cleaning will improve passenger experience and patronage to benefit the residents across the whole of Wiltshire.”

Residents can report issues with existing bus stops via mywilts-online

Requests for new shelters or facilities must be supported by the relevant town or parish council and will be assessed against safety, design and usage criteria.