A BUS shelter revamped thanks to student artwork has been unveiled in Witney.

The town council has been working with Abingdon and Witney College on a project devised to keep the 16 bus shelters throughout the town maintained.

It encourages businesses in the area to sponsor a stop, with the invested cash used for upkeep.

Once a sponsor is found, art students from the college create a unique design around the theme of Witney’s heritage, which appears on the shelter alongside the sponsor’s logo.

Last Thursday, a shelter in Newland had artwork produced by students at the college, who were given the theme of Witney heritage, installed.

It was sponsored by Krayma Technical Solutions, an IT support company.

Mike Dove, of Krayma, said: “As an established local business, we are very supportive of many local community initiatives, events and projects.

“To get involved with this project as a sponsor from the outset is a privilege for us.

“Witney is a beautiful town and one we’re all proud to live in, but the bus stops around town were looking a little tired. For [councillor] Duncan Enright to come up with this fantastic concept, rather than just give them a lick of paint is a superb idea.”

Witney’s mayor, Chris Woodward, said he felt enthused by the project and sees it as the optimum way to rejuvenate the shelters in a way that has benefits across the community.

He added: “I was proud to introduce Krayma Technical Solutions as the first sponsors of our new bus shelter art project.

“This magnificent work will hopefully be the inspiration for others to showcase their talent and bring our bus shelters back to life, each with a unique identity.

“I am deeply grateful to Krayma. They capture the essence of what can be achieved in the community if we work together.

“My thanks also to the Town Hall officers, along with Chris Holliday and Duncan Enright, for their community services committee work bringing this to fruition.”

The shelter’s refurbishment was not without controversy.

When it was restored, members of the Green Party attacked Witney Town Council for installing a sloping bench they claimed was designed to deter rough sleepers.

Upon seeing the refurbished shelter and new bench, Stuart Macdonald, of the West Oxfordshire Green Party, was unhappy.

He said: “Witney Town Council should be ashamed of itself.

“I wonder whether it will tell sponsors and the students of Abingdon & Witney College about the moral obscenity they are expected to decorate.”

Town council leader Toby Morris hit back at the accusations and explained the reasoning behind the bench’s design.

He said: “Following requests from the public for seating at this bus stop the council included a seat in the refurbishment design, which I think is a fantastic project in partnership with Abingdon and Witney College.

“Seating of this design is common in bus shelters as it allows a number of different users to use the shelter, including those with pushchairs.

“Given there wasn’t a seat in the shelter previously I’m not sure I see the logic in claiming the seat is to deter rough sleepers.

“And in any event, if a rough sleeper was brought to our attention we would work with colleagues at West Oxfordshire District Council, which is the responsible authority.

“Our transport working party identified a need for bus stops and where possible we look to provide them in an innovative way which adds to the character of our town.”