FEARS have been raised that a proposed new bus stop is "an accident waiting to happen".

Residents have voiced road safety concerns about the bus stop which is currently marked with a barrel on the corner of High Street and Harbour View Road in Penarth.

Some people have said that the bus stop, which is used by the 95 service, is a danger due to its location on a blind bend.

Further concerns have been raised that should the site become permanent it would make parking in the area "nearly impossible".

Vale council is holding a consultation period until April 13 as they decide whether the bus stop should be made permanent.

Resident Rhodri Davies lives on High Street and said the placement of the bus stop has "stunned" people.

"I can't believe that the council was foolish enough to put it in such a reckless and dangerous position.

"Children and elderly people walk near here and it is an accident waiting to happen.

"Whatever they do won't change that fact that there is a blind bend."

Another resident of High Street, who did not wish to be named, said: "Since Penarth Heights was built, parking on High St has become very difficult despite earlier assurances by the council that there'd be minimal impact.

"I think it's really important that local people are given the facts about this properly because if it goes ahead as planned, it'll simply make parking impossible."

Emma Reed, head of visible services and transport at the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said the current bus stop has been assessed and found to be safe.

She said all opinions will be taken into account before a decision is made on whether to make it permanent.

"As this has sparked such a degree of public interest, we are holding a consultation period until April 13 offering residents an opportunity to make their views heard on the matter heard.

"A letter advising people of the proposed scheme and how they can share their thoughts on it has been delivered to 100 properties in the vicinity," she said.

"The bus service and stop have been paid for by the Penarth Heights development as part of contributions they have to make towards sustainable transport.

"The aim is to offer residents a choice other than using a car when it comes to travel.

"Numbers using the service at this early stage is not an overriding factor when it comes to deciding whether the stop becomes permanent.

"Other bus services could well incorporate the stop in the future.

"The key is to put infrastructure in place to serve the Penarth Heights development that will allow for that possibility."