Drivers smoking on buses rebuked

Bus drivers spotted smoking in their cabs have been criticised by a leading local councillor.

Wyre Forest District Council member councillor Mrs Fran Oborski has now called for action to be taken to crackdown on people polluting public spaces.

She said: "I would like to see the smoking inspectors carrying out checks around the bus station and to tell drivers they cannot sit in vehicles smoking.

"It is not pleasant for members of the public to get into vehicles where people have been smoking."

Her comments came during a meeting of the council's cabinet and a review of the first 12 months of the Smoke Free Legislation which showed that most companies and businesses were complying with the new laws.

These were introduced to make enclosed workplaces and public areas smoke free and help protect people from a range of medical conditions caused by secondary smoking.

Councillor Anne Hingley said the council had originally targeted businesses with the highest foot-fall such as the West Midland Safari Park and the Severn Valley Railway.

She said that no fixed penalty fines had been issued but three warning letters had been sent out.