A WHEELCHAIR user from Saundersfoot and her husband have grown frustrated after waiting for years to have an accessible bus stop built near their house.

Emma and Gavin Johnson of Vineyard Vale, Saundersfoot have been waiting for approximately three years to have a raised platform placed at Valley Road, their nearest bus stop.

This would allow Emma to easily get on and off buses stopping at their street, as not all of the vehicles have ramps or lifts to help wheelchair users on board.

“We rely on the bus for everywhere we go,” said Gavin, a full-time carer for Emma, who lives with the muscle wasting condition CMT.

“I don’t drive so we use it to go out every day. We have to travel to Haverfordwest and into Saundersfoot or Tenby to go shopping and visit family and friends,” he added.

Gavin is helped by bus drivers to lift Emma’s wheelchair onto the buses which do not have ramps or lifts.

But on one occasion, lifting the wheelchair by the arm caused it to break, and Gavin and Emma needed to apply for a £260 replacement provided by Snowdrop Independent Living.

The Johnsons moved into their home in Saundersfoot four years ago, and had visits from local councillor Jacob Williams and accessibility officers from PCC about installing a raised bus stop platform after they arrived.

But after three years of correspondence there has not yet been a spade in the ground.

“It seems as if because my wife is disabled, she has been neglected as an inconvenience. It’s a sorry state of affairs,” said Gavin.

A PCC spokesperson said the council was sorry work had not yet started on the raised platform.

“When Mr Johnson originally contacted the County Council, there were unfortunately no funds available for such a scheme and Mr Johnson was made aware of this,” they added.

“We have now secured funding under the Welsh Government’s Bus Services Support Grant and a scheme is being drawn up by the Council.”

The council has kept the Johnsons updated about the bus stop, but the last the couple heard was several months ago, when it was said to be with the planning department.

The PCC spokesperson said: “As the scheme affects a public highway, it does not require planning permission and therefore has not been through a planning process.

“However, officers will be engaging with local stakeholders to ensure they are aware of the project.”

Those living with accessibility needs can visit the Pembrokeshire Access Group website for advice and support.