Street Benches

I have been reflecting on the issues around street benches, such as the ones outside Willesden Green Post Office pictured above.  At first sight, it may seem as if there are no issues, but in fact they can easily attract controversy.

The ones above became a focus of street drinkers once the open space outside what used to be the Willesden Green Library Centre became unavailable.  Street drinking appeared to be virtually the only genuine pastime that the advocates of a Town Green could legitimately point to as being of long standing.  I gather that thebenches may now be removed, which seems a real shame.  A long time ago, there was a similar problem with youths hanging around the benches in Hazel Road.  Kilburn High Road has a similar problem with people hanging around Kilburn High Road station.

The problem is that removing the benches makes the areas concerned less attractive, especially to the elderly who want resting places.  Given the Council's need to make the streets more pedestrian friendly, that creates an inevitable tension.