Bristol council slammed for putting in ‘most bonkers bench’ instantly going through brick wall
The metal bench – designed as a “resting place for the elderly” – comes with an uninspiring view of a brick wall and has been branded “Britain’s most bonkers bench”
Local have been dumbfounded as to why the council has erected a bench facing a brick wall (Image: )
Residents have slammed a council for placing a bench which stares directly at a towering brick wall. The metal seat, which is meant to be a “resting spot for people who are older and disabled”, offers a dreary view of the Grand Hotel’s extension retaining wall in Bristol city centre.
The oddly placed bench is part of a £1m scheme to upgrade traffic lights at the hectic junction and improve the pedestrian experience. However its positioning has sparked criticism from bewildered locals after being dubbed “Britain’s most bonkers bench.”
Had it been turned around, weary pedestrians could have gazed across the city centre from the junction of Canon’s Road and College Green. When Bristol’s transport chief Ed Plowden announced these works in February 2025, the bench wasn’t mentioned – so its arrival caught many city dwellers off guard.
Bristol City Council is now reassessing the scheme. Plowden had stated the works would ensure the lights “are in working order while also delivering walking and cycling improvements, including better facilities for visually impaired pedestrians and improved cycling links between Park Street and the city centre”.
Social media users have suggested a wall-facing bench prevents bags or pushchairs from cluttering the widened pavement, while others argue it’s preferable to overlooking the peeling artwork in the centre.
One local said: “It has been to be the most bonkers bench in Britain. Surely they can just turn it to face the other way and you would get a lovely view. They added: “But they are probably talking to a brick wall trying to get anything done that makes sense. In more ways than one.”
Another resident added: “Benches aren’t always in place to enjoy a view though. Sometimes they are there to rest your weary feet, drink your coffee or catch up with your phone calls or read that newspaper.”
A third said: “Most people who live in Bristol probably feel like they’d rather talk to a brick wall so I suppose it’s rather apt.”
Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, responded: “I was alerted to this concern by the local Green councillor, Sibusiso Tshabalala and having consulted with the project designer, we now know that the bench has been positioned to offer a resting place for people, especially those who are older and Disabled, walking up the steep hill rather than a seat with a view.”
Despite locals pointing out the bench’s odd positioning the councillor has defend the bench said: “It will benefit from shade provided by a tree that will be planted in the raised planter behind the bench. Creating shaded areas and resting places for people walking is a vital part of our urban planning to help Bristol adapt to the impacts of climate change.”
“That said, we are going to keep this under review, and the positioning of the bench will be kept under review as standard before any scheme is finally signed off.”
