GIVE US BACK OUR SEAT, SAYS MP

4.08.13pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 7th Apr 2008

People in Frome who are waiting for a bus in the town centre, or have simply shopped till they drop, are finding it a little bit harder on the feet in Frome, since the bench which used to stand outside the old post office was taken away.

Now local MP David Heath is asking for assurances from Mendip Council that the seat is put back.

Mr Heath said:

"It was quite clear from talking to people in the town over the weekend how upset they are about the seat being moved, particularly as it follows the removal of the benches from the Westway Centre last year.

Having a chance to sit down, particularly when you're waiting for a bus, is not a great deal to ask, and for some elderly people it's essential. I've even heard about some using seats inside Boot's the Chemists, which I'm sure is not what they intended them for.

Apparently the seats have been removed to facilitate the erection of scaffolding. I understand that, although it would have been better if the seating had simply been moved temporarily rather than removed altogether. But the most important thing is to ensure that they are put back in due course. It's a pretty important amenity for people in the town, and having lost the benches on private property in the Westway, I don't want to leave it to chance."