Bench faces wrong way

Residents who waited more than a year for a bench next to a bus stop found one placed facing away from the road. The park bench was placed in such a way following fears that some elderly people could fall into Leek Road, in Stoke-on-Trent, the city council said.

Some people said they had to crane their necks to look for a bus.

The council has now admitted it probably took health and safety "to the extreme" and will put in a bench facing the road in the next few days.The park bench cost £50 to install, but the new one could cost up to £1,000, partly because of work to level the ground to minimise risks to the public.

Councillor for Hanley West and Shelton, Marjorie Bate, said the original bench was "ridiculous".

She said: "I laughed. I have never seen anything so stupid. I then contacted certain officers and they said it wasn't a mistake - it was done deliberately because of health and safety reasons. Some of them (the elderly residents) probably wouldn't have time to get around the bench and onto the bus, especially if they don't see it coming early enough."

The city council has now said the bench looks "rather silly".

The portfolio holder for community services and equalities, Mohammed Pervez, said: "If this bench was in a shelter, it wouldn't have looked out of place. But because it's on its own, it's looking a bit strange."

He has now intervened to ensure the bench will be removed on Tuesday and another is installed in due course.

Mr Pervez said: "The positioning of the bench was done for the right reasons. Some elderly people are unsteady on their feet and could risk falling into the road. But in this case we've probably taken health and safety to the extreme."