Council Blames Government Rules And Police After Park Benches Cordoned Off

Monday, 23 November 2020 11:39

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Kaya In The Park, Horsham, in happier times pre-lockdown (Photo: © Kaya In The Park)

An outcry about benches being cordoned-off in Horsham Park has been rebutted by the district council, which says it's following government orders.

Public reaction to the taping-over of benches outside the "Kaya In The Park" café was strong, when the red-and-white hazard tape was spotted soon after the start of the current lockdown.

Along with the seating being out of use, tables in the same area, for people wishing to eat out-of-doors were turned over.

They all form part of the seating area associated with the café/restaurant, whose own statements indicate it's offering a takeaway and delivery service, to people who order by phone in advance — entirely in keeping with government restrictions.

However, elsewhere in Horsham Park, other public benches remain available for use.

Members of the public objecting to the café benches' closure have been pleading for their re-opening:

One said:

"Yet another example of HDC thoughtless and silly nonsense.

"No thought for the people that live alone and struggle through lockdown.

"No thought for the people that need to get out of the house for their own peace of mind and/or safety."

Another added:

"Yet another farcical over reaction that serves no purpose what so ever.

"Things like this are just embarrassing to see."

But Horsham District Council told More Radio it's following police advice based on government instructions about restricting the spread of coronavirus — procedures clearly laid out in the Statutory Instrument enacted that is the legal foundation of the current lockdown.

A local authority spokesperson said:

"Other benches spread across the park are available for use.

"The current second national lockdown government guidance stipulates that businesses must not provide food or drink for consumption either on the premises, or on any seating adjacent to its premises.

"It doesn't matter if this seating is provided by the actual business or not.

"On this basis the Council had no other alternative than to cordon off the benches in question."

The law is contained in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020, s 15(4).