A ROTARY Club volunteer has highlighted the need for a bench outside Poole Hospital.
Ray Bursey, a member of the Parkstone Rotary Club, has been asking the council to fit a new bench outside Poole Hospital, by the taxi rank on Longfleet Road side.
When his wife went into hospital for a hip operation, Ray was unhappy that his wife had to stand in the taxi rank whilst waiting for a taxi home.
The 78-year-old said: “There is plenty of space there, there's an extra wide pavement there. I’ve been trying to get permission from the council to have it fitted.
“You’d think the council would agree it was a good idea, but they don’t. They said there are no exceptions and we have to wait. With winter coming soon and the rain, you’d think it would be a good idea to have one built.
“It’s not particularly nice to wait in the rain. It’s not fair as there are two benches by the bus stop.”
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Ray also said he wanted a bench there to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Rotary Club back in 2021 – with the charity offering to fund the bench.
Cllr L-J Evans, ward councillor for Poole Town, said: “This is completely unacceptable. Having somewhere to sit is important for those with frailty and reduced mobility.
“It gives people a place to wait and encourages walking by ensuring a rest-stop is available. If residents and charities are willing to supply benches in suitable public spaces, surely the council should be enabling this to happen as quickly as possible?”
A BCP Council spokesperson said: “In terms of the installation, it is perfectly possible for a bench to be installed although this would depend on the location and available budget for new street furniture.
“If it is to be built on Poole Hospital grounds, then it would of course be up to the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Trust to agree to and fund the installation.
“If it is to be located on the council’s pavement beside the hospital, then the idea would need to be submitted to our Highways Team for possible inclusion in future plans for Ringwood Road.”
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