TWO hundred and fifty people have signed a petition asking council bosses to rethink plans to move a bus stop.

Transport chiefs have drawn up plans to move the bus stop on Acomb Green to make space for a new pedestrian crossing further up Wetherby Road.

The new stop would be directly outside the Sun Inn - say landlord Alan Williams and regular customers say it would spoil the popular beer garden at the front of the pub, and create problems for cars turning into the pub car park, and delivery lorries.

Mr Williams said: “Think of people sitting out there on a nice summers evening - then a bus pulls up and starts pumping diesel fumes over them."

Delivery lorries call at the pub several times a week, he added, but will not be able to park outside if a bus stop is placed there.

Cars going in and out of the Sun Inn’s car park could also have to cross the new bus stop, and the new stop would be directly opposite another bus stop on the other side of the road.

Acomb councillor Stuart Barnes presented the petition to the council leader last week, asking that transport staff rethink the plan.

Cllr Barnes said: “I was pleased to present this petition on behalf of a significant number of local people who both live locally and use the Sun Inn on Acomb Green.

“Their concerns, and those of the publicans who run the Sun Inn, is that large diesel buses parked meters away are going to put people off using the outdoor area.

"The area is well used during the warmer months of the year, where people can enjoy a drink looking on to The Green.”

Cllr Barnes said he wanted to see the city council’s transport department look at other options for the bus stop move.

“I welcome the proposals planned for improving pedestrian safety on Wetherby Road, as I’m sure do many of the people who’ve signed this petition,” he added.

“But I do think there are other options for relocating the bus stop, and I hope the newly installed Executive Member for Transport will ask his officers to give this proper consideration.”