Give us our bench back

Aug 14 2008 by Michelle Coyle, North Wales Weekly News

NO FEWER than 240 people have signed a petition demanding the return of a bench at Llanfairfechan.

The seat in question was installed for smokers outside the Castle Bridge Cafe on the village’s Penmaenmawr Road.

Originally a place for smokers to retreat to when they were forced out of the cafe by the smoking ban, it quickly became a local landmark.

But in July council officers demanded the bench be removed because it was an obstruction.

“Obstructions can cause dangerous situations, especially for anyone with poor vision, those with young children in pushchairs and wheelchair users,” said a spokesman for Conwy County Council.

“We have to consider the needs of both pedestrians and traders, and in this case the bench was on a public pavement adjacent to a pedestrian crossing.”

Since the bench was removed no fewer than 240 people, including Llanfairfechan regulars as well as visitors from as far afield as Somerset and Warwickshire, have petitioned for it be reinstated.

Cafe owner David Worgan said: “Everyone used the bench, not just smokers. Many non-smoking customers would sit on it and enjoy the sunshine as well as passers-by, particularly older people, who appreciated the chance of a rest.

“If I hadn’t taken it away I would have been fined. I knew that local people would be irate about the loss to the village and I am not surprised by the level of support this petition has received.”

The red tape involved has left David deflated. “I’m not sure if all these signatures will change anything. But we will definitely try to get it back,” he said.

Llanfairfechan councillor Andrew Hinchliff delivered the petition to Joan Vaughan, Conwy cabinet member for infrastructure.

“I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion,” said Andrew.

“Taking the cafe’s bench was another blow to trade. I think common sense should have prevailed.”

Fellow councillor Gwyneth Thomas is among those to have signed the petition.

“It wasn’t blocking the way at all,” said Gwyneth. “I really hope this petition makes a difference.”

michelle.coyle