ANGRY town councillors in Portishead have refused to take over the management of three new bus shelters - because they are painted

ANGRY town councillors in Portishead have refused to take over the management of three new bus shelters - because they are painted the wrong colour.The new shelters at Harbour Road and Phoenix Way were installed earlier this year, but painted the wrong shade of blue by North Somerset Council.Throughout the town, planters, bins and other bus shelters are all painted 'Portishead Blue'.But it seems that a slip of the pen when ordering the new ones has meant they are a lighter, sky blue.And despite complaints, North Somerset Council is refusing to replace them, claiming it cannot afford another £4,000 to change them.In a letter to Portishead and North Weston Town Council, North Somerset Chief Executive Graham Turner said: "The cost to correcting the error would be in the region of £3,800."As the shelters are not covered by the authority's maintenance contract, to repaint or replace them could not be considered to be best value to council tax payers in the long term."Portishead and North Weston Town Council was due to take over responsibility of the shelters but is now refusing to do so until the colour is changed.Councillor Ros Cruse said: "I do not see why we should maintain them until they are the right colour."We should refuse to take over responsibility for them until the colour is right."Other councillors suggested asking for volunteers from the community to get busy with the brushes and repaint the shelters traditional Portishead Blue.Councillor Pasley said: "I wonder if we can get the job done by volunteers?"I know there are plenty of community spirited people in Portishead who would be willing to help repaint these shelters."Councillors agreed to ask North Somerset Council to repaint the most visible bus shelter at Phoenix Way and voted not to take over the other three until they had been repainted Portishead blue.