HASLEMERE Methodist Church council has criticised a plan to move the Weyhill bus stop to a new position, one which it claims would create a danger to pedestrians and prevent access to church premises.

Surrey Highways wants to address the problem of congestion at the top of Wey Hill, where the bus stop is currently sited between a parking bay and the Tesco traffic lights.

A recent exhibition of the Wey Hill safety improvement scheme displayed draft plans to relocate the bus stop to a site by the church.

Haslemere Methodist Church's council has sent a letter to Surrey County Council informing them of their concerns.

"We very much hope that, on the grounds of the danger to pedestrians and traffic and also the maintenance of free access to the church's forecourt and car park, the bus stop should not be sited outside the church," the councilwrote.

The church also points out that the premises are used seven days a week, not just on Sundays.

At Haslemere Town Council's planning and highways committee meeting last week, councillors lent their support.

Chairman of the Wey Hill working party Michael Foster has suggested that a lay-by could be formed in the wide pavement in front of Cyril Queen and Lloyds Pharmacy.

Michael Biddiscombe said: "We are extremely sympathetic to the church. Almost everyone at the exhibition said it is not the place for a bus stop."

Mayor Stephen Mulliner said the council should send a letter to Surrey County Council, arguing that the bus stop should be by the shops opposite the Esso service station.