Stroud Town Council is launching its Better Bus Stops Stroud project, aimed at making bus stop use more accessible.
Nine bus shelters, recently adopted by Stroud Town Council from Stroud District Council, have already been cleaned and assessed for initial improvements, such as accessible seating. In the next phase, each bus shelter will be shaped by the local community to ensure it is practical, inclusive and representative of Stroud’s identity. To achieve this, the council will work alongside local artists, schools, a community youth group, and members of the public to develop the shelters.
The council is currently recruiting 30 Stroud residents (bus users and non-bus users) to a Bus User Forum, to help shape the functionality and design of the shelters. This forum will also influence future bus shelter developments, based on the feedback and ideas shared.
In addition to the Bus User Forum, the council is inviting local artists to collaborate with schools and a community youth group to design original artwork for eight of the shelters. The hope for these artistic contributions is to give each shelter a unique identify, promote community pride, and help deter vandalism.
Cllr Adrian Oldman said: “This project is a fantastic opportunity to improve our bus shelters and encourage use of public transport. Bus travel should be accessible and enjoyable for all, and waiting at a shelter is an important part of that experience. We’re looking forward to seeing the creative ideas and solutions that our residents, artists and schools will bring.”
To take part in the Bus User Forum, please complete this form to register your interest. The workshops will take place in October and November 2025 and participants will receive £25 for their time. If you are a local artist interested in taking part, please apply by Tuesday 22 August 2025. Work with schools is due to take place October – December 2025. For further details, including artist fees and a full description of the work, please see the artist application form.
To find out more about the Better Bus Stops Stroud project, visit our website: Better Bus Stops Stroud! | Stroud Town Council
