AN ABERPORTH councillor is demanding an explanation from Ceredigion County Council after an e-mail came to light seemingly confirming the local authority was responsible for maintaining bus shelters erected along the A487 trunk road as part of a Welsh Government initiative.

Cllr Gethin James had previously expressed alarm at the condition of shelters which he says are “in dire need” of maintenance and have effectively been abandoned.

The county council’s sole Ukip member says he was stung into action by the local authority’s insistence that community and town councils were responsible for their upkeep.

But Cllr James was in combative mood last week having unearthed an email dating back to June 7, 2007, seemingly confirming the county council’s role.

The e-mail, sent to Aberporth community clerk Vanessa Owens by Ceredigion County Council highways officer Gareth Roberts, stated that maintenance of bus shelters erected on the X50, 550 and X40 routes under the Welsh Government-funded Quality Bus Initiative was County Hall’s responsibility.

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