Swindon bench reaction 'is why we can't have nice things'

The surprising addition to the ongoing London Road improvement work attracted an even more surprising amount of attention after the Adver reported on it a few days ago.

Some criticised the bench for being too expensive, facing the wrong way, and situated too close to a busy road.

It has even attracted national newspaper coverage, with Mail Online wondering whether it could be the worst in Britain.

Harry Mortimer mocked the moaners for what he saw as flawed logic in their complaints about the bench, while a Mr G Woodward, of Nelson Street, wrote in to praise the council after he needed to use the bench during a stroll to the train station.

Mr Mortimer wrote: "Have you all lost your collective minds?

"The bench Swindon Borough Council put up outside the Carriage Works in London Road isn’t, I grant you, in the most scenic spot.

"Nobody will make special trips to look at the scenery (even if it is a Grade II-listed building, and a vital part of Swindon’s industrial heritage), and I can’t imagine many people will ask their relatives to scatter their ashes there.

"But the criticism that the council has received is ridiculous. Benches are useful things to people, especially older people or those with mobility issues.

"Having one in the long, and quite featureless, stretch of road between the railway station and the underpass to Steam and the Designer Outlet seems to be a perfectly reasonable thing to do and it will be used by quite a few people.

"So let’s look at what people in Swindon, amplified by the Adver, are saying.

"'It’s in the wrong place'. Is it? Because it’s in a city centre street? Why’s that? Swindon’s a great town, but if we were only to put benches where they look at amazing views, there wouldn’t be that many.

"'It’s facing the wrong way'. Because it’s better to look at the road, and the traffic than a building? Explain please.

"'It’s a hazard, because traffic.' What? Seriously, if you think you might hit someone sitting on that bench, please hand in your driving licence immediately.

"Finally: 'The bench looks too expensive.' Yes, quite right. What we want are lousy, cheap benches. We don’t deserve better.

"Attitudes like this, Swindon, and the Adver, are why we don’t have nice things. Always carping, always moaning over the most ridiculous things. I despair sometimes, I really do."

Mr Woodward added: "The improvements to Swindon’s London Road and Station Road area were commissioned by the previous council administration, and so I do not understand why harsh words over a wooden bench that has suddenly appeared are being directed at the current council?

"Whichever administration strives to make improvements, they are subjected to a hail of flack from Swindon moaners, or conversely when they do not bother at all, in a clear case of 'dammed if you do, or dammed if you don't'.

"This is Swindon’s heritage area, and as a Swindonian and ex-railway man, I am pleased that the councils consider it of importance. We now have great expectations as to finally seeing the long awaited restoration of the Mechanics Institute building.

"A few days ago, I walked to the railway station with my wife and I was very glad to make use of the new bench as I suffer from a right hip complaint and need to take frequent rests.

"As regards the Swindon moaners that the bench is a waste of money, It is rather obvious that it has been fashioned out of reclaimed pallet wood and was as such economically cheap to manufacture. Once the rest of the unfinished work is completed, I am sure that the bench will be given a coat of ‘varnish stain’ of a possible chocolate colour to match the chocolate and cream GWR paint regime of the carriage works buildings.

"To all the moaners, I would urge them to be patient and wait for the promised trees to appear as part of the planned scheme when it knits together so as to complement the area, and to then to pass judgement, as some people can never be satisfied.

"Well done Swindon Borough Council, some of us do appreciate your efforts."