'No smoking' signs missing on new Norwich bus shelters

A lack of 'no smoking' signs - which were a feature of the old bus shelters - has led to complaints about being covered in "fog" and "choking on smoke".

The news follows two high-profile mistakes that saw timetables appear upside down and a board placed on the wrong side of the shelter.

The error follows an incident last month that saw the bus timetables installed upside down (Image: Newsquest)

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"I am someone who travels on the buses daily and spends a large amount of time waiting for them," said 83-year-old city local Joyce Smith. 

"I am now choking on cigarette smoke and the fog from the so-called vapes.

"Are the signs missing or does this rule no longer apply?"

Norfolk County Council has not confirmed whether it plans to install any notices.

A spokesman for the authority said: "We would ask that passengers refrain from smoking in bus shelters.

"Second-hand smoke is a known health risk so please consider others when smoking in public places."

There has been a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, workplaces and public transport since July 2007 but there are no restrictions outside and the law doesn't apply to e-cigarettes.

The shelters are a part of the £6.1m revamp of the city centre street which caused disruption for 10 months last year before reopening to buses, bikes and taxis in October.

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However, it wasn't until last month that the stops started to be installed, due to supply problems holding up the county council's work.

Council leaders have previously said the new look is "something Norwich should be proud of", with new planters and eight of the new shelters to have living roofs with a mixture of wildflowers on top to help bees and pollinators.

However, the new sawtooth bus bays have also been criticised by cyclists as being "absolutely lethal".