BUS shelters recently removed across Southend will be replaced, a leading councillor has pledged.

Southend Area Bus Users’ Group complained after the shelters were removed as bad weather set in, leaving people exposed to the rain and wind.

For the past 15 years, 80 of the town’s 280 shelters have been supplied by media company Clear Channel and funded by advertising.

However, the downturn in advertising revenue has meant the company has not renewed its contract with the council and the shelters have been removed.

Anna Waite, Tory councillor responsible for transport, said the council was working as fast as it could to replace the shelters.

She added: “The timing could not be worse.

“The contract with Clear Channel has just run out as the market for bus shelter advertising has hit rock bottom.

“This means it has not been possible to strike a similar advertising-funded deal in the current financial climate.”

Mrs Waite said the existing shelters were far too expensive to be maintained by the council taxpayer.

In addition, some were in the wrong place because road improvements in the town and bus route changes over the past 15 years meant they were no longer needed.

Mrs Waite said: “All 80 shelters have to be returned to Clear Channel, and were are working as quickly as possible to replace the ones we need with lower maintenance, but equally suitable, alternatives.

“I know this is not an ideal time of year to be replacing bus shelters, and I appreciate travellers’ patience and understanding while we make the changes.”

The replacement programme is being phased so no bus stop will be without a shelter for more than 14 days.