BUS STOP LANDED ON MY DOORSTEP.

Byline: By Gareth Rogers South Wales Echo 

A couple were left fuming after a bus stop appeared outside their front door.

And to make matters worse the council only told Brian Treasure and his wife Jayne about plans to move it there three hours AFTER the work started.

The bemused couple woke to find workmen digging up the pavement outside their Ely, Cardiff, home without any warning on February 6.

Mr Treasure, 53, was told by workers the bus stop was being moved from the end of his road - but a letter from the council detailing the plans only arrived the day work began.

'They must have planned this months in advance and yet the first we knew about it was when workers arrived outside our front door,' said Mr Treasure, who has lived on Grand Avenue for 16 years.

Cardiff council said householders would usually be informed of planned work and apologised for the late notice.

But former legal adviser Mr Treasure said he had received no formal apology, adding: 'It's not late notice, it's no notice.

'It doesn't seem right that they can do what they want.'

He added: 'We don't want people standing outside throwing rubbish into our garden and staring into our house.'

Mrs Treasure, 47, said the bus stop could devalue their home and added: 'Parking will be a nightmare. Brian has arthritis so we need to park outside - he can't walk halfway up the avenue every time he wants to go out.'

Estate agent Geoff Edmunds said the house could be devalued by as much as pounds 5,000.

He added: 'It does have an effect on the house price - there's no question.

'People who turn up to see it won't be enamoured to find a bus stop outside the front door.'

And MP for the area Kevin Brennan said: 'I would be very critical of the council for the simple lack of courtesy. It's just no way to treat people.'

The couple are considering legal action. MOVE NECESSARY: The bus stop has been moved outside Brian's house to accommodate the longer, bendy Cardiff buses.

A spokeswoman for Cardiff Council said: 'The council is in the process of carrying out a range of bus stop improvements in the Ely and Caerau areas to facilitate the introduction of articulated buses by Cardiff Bus on the 17 and 18 routes.

'These longer buses have necessitated moving some stops, including the one Mr Treasure refers to.

'It is the normal practice of the council to inform all householders where highway works are to be carried out. On this occasion the short time-scale available to do the works, in readiness for the new bus service, meant that the works started on the same day the letters were delivered.

'An apology has been made to Mr Treasure for this.

'Householders have no automatic right to park on the highway outside their house, and across the UK parking is prohibited at many bus stops.'