Village wants smokers' bench back

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_west/7575127.stm

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A couple want to reintroduce a "smokers' bench" for customers to use outside their cafe in Conwy county.

Castle Bridge Cafe at Llanfairfechan, was told to remove it by Conwy council because it was an "obstruction".

David and Barbara Worgan have the support of villagers who have collected a 240-signature petition demanding the bench back.

A spokesperson for the council said obstructions could cause "dangerous situations".

"We got it when the smoking ban came in 15 months ago and no-one said anything until an apparently anonymous phone call to the council," said Mr Worgan.

The whole thing is quite silly Councillor Andrew Hinchliff, supports the couple

In a letter to the couple Conwy Council said the bench should be removed under the Highways Act becayse it was "deemed to be an obstruction".

Mr Worgan said he had measured the pavement outside his cafe, and it was 8ft (2.4m) wide, and the bench (with people sitting on it) was 2ft (0.6m) wide.

There are also railings along the pavement, because the cafe is near a pedestrian crossing, so he said there was no danger of anyone stepping out into the road.

Barbara Worgan with the sign which was placed near the bench

Moya Hughes from the local newsagents collected names on the petition.

"The situation is ridiculous, there was never an issue that it was in the way," she said.

Cafe customer Margaret Roberts added; "People used to go out there to have a smoke and pass the time of day, I can't understand why anyone would complain, we're all shocked," she said.

Maureen Millar agreed. She said: "The bench was very popular it was nice to sit out there," she said.

"We used to have a back room which was for smokers, but when the ban came in there was no-where for them to go," said Mr Worgan.

"The bench was not left out overnight either - it was only out from 9-3pm every day.

"Customers want it back, and we are hoping that the council will change their mind," he added.

Conwy councillor Andrew Hinchliff supports the couple.

"I handed the petition into the council with a comment that I wasn't happy with the situation," he said.

"The whole thing is quite silly," he added.

In a statement, Conwy Council said they had received a number of complaints about benches, signs and displays that obstruct pavements.

These "obstructions can cause dangerous situations, especially for anyone with poor vision, those with young children in pushchairs and for wheelchair users".

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