Penarth Council want feedback on £1,080 bench

Penarth Council want feedback on 'Penarth Bench' You can do that here 

£1,080 Bench by Barclays bank 

Its a great idea to have more benches in Penarth especially on the hills! However I am concerned that this new 'Penarth bench' does not  conform to standards for disabled and elderly people. The bench is too low at 16 inches to allow people to sit and rise with ease. The 'arm rest' is too high and wide to enable one to use it to enable sitting and standing. A back is an necessity. A small back section on either side is insufficient as a mistake while sitting down could lead to a life threatening fall.  Concrete is cold and unpleasant to lean on. The 'decoration' is barely visible unless photographed and enlarged. It is not fitting in any conservation area. You might have consulted the 50+ forum on the design or any group of older people first. 

 The Town council wants to buy and install more of these “Penarth Benches “ in other locations around the town centre  even though it’s £300 more expensive than the Vale Council new Penarth Esplanade benches  

Please say no to more of these unsuitable benches. 

see http://www.idgo.ac.uk/design_guidance/factsheets/seating.htm