| Bob Black, of Newlandhead Farm, Tealing, thought he’d save money by using an old bus shelter to shield competitors from bad weather at an annual charity horse-riding event.
But he said he was astonished when told the cost of the shelter.
Dundee City Council last year offered the redundant shelters free of charge to local organisations, but said there would be a small cost for transport.
Mr Black thought this would be an inexpensive way to shelter his starters during the cross-country horse trials he stages every summer in Balkello Country Park, Auchterhouse.
Mr Black donates the proceeds from the event to Ninewells Hospital’s cancer campaign, and has done so for the past seven years it has been running.
The event raised £4700 for the cause last year alone.
In September 2004, the council offered up more than 200 redundant bus shelters in a bid to put them to good use.
Planning and transport convener Councillor Fiona Grant said, “The city council will be offering the shelters for free, but the groups will have to meet the costs of transportation and refurbishment.”
Shelters across the city were being replaced as part of a £12 million project, funded by the Scottish Executive, to improve public transport.
Mr Black contacted the council to ask about a shelter.
He said, “I received a letter from the contractors, Trueform Engineering Limited, dated January 13 which said the charge would be £685 plus VAT, with an extra charge of £100 plus VAT for the shelter to be loaded on to your vehicle.
“I just thought no way — we’ll just have to stand in the rain.
“It’s very expensive, as I also have to buy wood for the jumps, which have to be replaced every year, plus rosettes, advertising, etcetera.
“Over the several years the event has been running I think we’ve raised nearly £18,000 for the cancer campaign. It would’ve been handy having the bus shelter, but it’s too expensive at that price.”
There was no immediate comment from Dundee City Council. |
