Town 'overwhelmed' with memorial benches
Getty ImagesA local authority has said it is currently not taking applications for memorial benches due to resident concerns there are too many.
Hartlepool Borough Council said it had carried out an audit in and around the town, which revealed Seaton Carew and the Headland were "overwhelmed" with seats.
In a report, it said this was such a problem that in some cases people could not walk between the benches as there were too many, while in other instances they obstructed access to wheelchairs and pushchairs.
The Labour-led local authority said it was considering multiple ways to solve the issue.
The council said its audit had revealed the Headland had the most with 115, followed by Seaton Promenade with 112 and then Ward Jackson Park with 48.
It said it had also discovered several benches, which are not the responsibility of the local authority, were in poor condition.
'Plant trees'
The council proposed putting notices on the benches in the worst state to ask individuals responsible to get in touch.
It said if no individual came forward, it would remove the bench and store it for an agreed period of time before it was destroyed.
The report said the council needed to consider other options for people to remember their loved ones beyond benches in some parts of the town, due to a lack of space.
One suggestion it made was that people could plant trees instead.
The council said it would not accept new applications for new memorial benches until future arrangements had been agreed.
The local authority will discuss the proposals on 11 March.
