A BUS stop just three feet from a kitchen window has left one family claiming their privacy has been destroyed in their home.

Rob Lafrance lives on York’s Derwenthorpe development with his wife Stephanie, daughter and step daughters, but the family is upset to find that original plans for bus routes have been put to one side, in favour of a stop just feet from their front windows.

Rob said they feel constantly overlooked and unable to even use their own garden in peace, with people waiting for buses immediately outside their windows.

Buses also run along the narrow residential roads, many of which do not have footpaths, causing serious safety concerns for people walking or cycling, he said.

When the family moved in nine months ago, plans showed that electric buses would run to the development’s energy centre. But, in the last month, the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) told the Lafrance’s the stop would instead be next to their house.

The route was arranged by JRHT, City of York Council, and Arriva, and all have said it is a 12-month pilot project - but Mr Lafrance and his neighbours fear that will simply be extended.

York Press:

JRHT’s Joel Owen said they would work with residents throughout the trial, and could relocate the buses in the longer term.

“This is the first time that a bus service has run in Derwenthorpe and we hope that it will help residents, particularly those who are less able to walk or cycle, to connect with the city centre and other areas of York. As with any new service, we will consider all residents’ feedback and make adjustments if necessary to make sure that the service causes as little disruption as possible.

“In the longer term we hope to be able to relocate the Derwenthorpe bus stop in the area around the Super Sustainable Centre.”

The council spokesman said building work meant they could not run the bus through the energy centre yet, but would consider that in future. He added: “Whilst it is up to the operator (and the council) to be happy the buses can safely navigate the proposed route, the roads in question are not currently council-adopted highway.

"The location of the bus stops and routing of the bus was agreed as a partnership decision between JRHT, the operator Arriva and the council. The bus service and stopping arrangements will be kept under review, not least as the continued development of the Derwenthorpe area may result in both the route and bus stops being revised.”

Arriva has apologised about the concerns, butsaid the council set the route when it put the contract out to tender.