TRANSPORT chiefs have backed a study aimed at toughening up bus shelters in the borough.

The move comes as a programme to install up to 2,000 new shelters in Greater Manchester over the next five years kicks off this month.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority's policy committee has put £25,000 towards a University of Salford study to identify the most durable anti-vandal resistant glazing materials on the market for use in bus shelter panels.

Committee chairman, Councillor Andrew Fender, explained: "Bus shelter vandalism is a big problem across the UK and, unfortunately, Greater Manchester has more than its fair share of trouble.

"We have forged strong partnerships with the police, local authorities and community groups in an effort to combat this mindless activity, but if we can toughen up our shelters, all the better.

"This study will thoroughly assess alternative glazing materials which have more recently come on the market so that the shelter panels can better resist vandalism and provide a safer environment for bus passengers."

Greater Manchester currently has approximately 3,500 bus shelters, provided and maintained under contract to the county's Passenger Transport Executive by JC Decaux and funded purely from commercial advertising.