Council to review bench that faces a wall

A council has said a newly-installed bench that faces a wall could be moved if it does not fulfil its purpose.

The bench forms part of a renovation project in Bristol city centre at the junction of Canons Road and the A38, intended to make the area better for pedestrians.

Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee at Bristol City Council, said the bench would eventually "benefit from shade provided by a tree" that will be grown in a planter behind it.

He added: "The bench has been positioned to offer a resting place for people, especially those who are older and disabled, walking up the steep hill rather than a seat with a view."

"Creating shaded areas and resting places for people walking is a vital part of our urban planning to help Bristol adapt to the impacts of climate change.

"We are going to keep this under review and the positioning of the bench will be kept under review as standard before any scheme is finally signed off."

Ben Stephenson, a placemaking consultant at Bristol Urban Forum, said the bench's positioning was "a curious decision".

He explained: "We view benches as social infrastructure - a moment of rest or contemplation, or a place to chat.

"Doing this while staring at a brick wall is definitely less attractive.

"There will likely be a reason for this decision, but it's not clear to me why the bench would have been positioned like this and it would be better turned around to face views of our wonderful city."

The bench's positioning has also caused some confusion to passers-by.

One man told BBC Radio Bristol: "It's in the junction of two quite busy main roads, facing the wall rather than facing the more open space towards the town centre."

Another said: "It doesn't really look like it fits in."

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