CITY transport bosses are set to splash out £150,000 on putting wheelchair-accessible raised kerbs at bus stops across Southampton.

The announcement comes after First Hampshire decided to pull its fleet of 13 super-low-floor buses because they were being damaged by speed humps.

It sparked a row between civic leaders and Southampton Itchen MP John Denham after he branded the situation "farcical" and claimed not enough had been done to keep the vehicles on the road.

Disabled rights activists welcomed the spend but again expressed regret at the £2.3m bendy bus fleet being pulled.

Council bosses will begin work on improving kerbsides beside stops shortly and expect the work will be completed by the end of the year.

Ian Loynes, of Southampton Centre for Independent Living, said: "In principle anything that will make buses more accessible is welcome.

"The whole stuff about the bendy buses being withdrawn is regrettable but understandable in the circumstances. If it's about building up the infrastructure so appropriate buses can be accessed that would be welcomed.

"It is a bit late in the day but I suppose it is a case of better late than never."

Bus bosses said new traffic-calming measures in University Road convinced them its 13-strong fleet had to go. They claimed the three-year-old vehicles had been so badly damaged that it looked as though they had been in service for seven years.

The council tried to alter humps in Millbrook to give the buses an easier ride, but without success.

Councillor Jill Baston, Cabinet member for Transport and Environment, hit out at Mr Denham's attack and insisted they had done all they could. Bosses at First Hampshire told the Daily Echo this week that they hoped the replacements would be low-floored buses.

A city council spokesman said: "The city council hopes to install raised access to about 150 bus stops, starting with the most used routes and stops.

"The cost is approximately £150,000 and the work will start shortly and is hoped to be finished by the end of the financial year.

"Raised kerbs have already been installed in the city centre and neighbourhood centres and are put in place where the city council is undertaking major roadworks."