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".
