A constantly vandalised bus terminus looks set to stay in Benfleet due to its historical significance.

Residents at the latest Benfleet Area Forum made it clear they wanted rid of the litter-filled graffiti-covered eyesore at the bottom of Essex Way.

But they were informed that is unlikely to happen because Castle Point Council has just discovered it is a historic structure, as it is part of the South Benfleet Conservation Area.

Castle Point director of technical services, Nigel Thomas, told residents how this posed a problem. He said: "This works against the shelter being removed."

However, residents were not put off and vowed to continue to complain about the swear words scrawled over the former bus terminus which has its windows boarded up.

Published Friday January 9, 2004

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