Unfinished concrete slab benches outside Harrow-on-the-Hill station are ugly and a waste of money, according to furious residents.
The large triangular structures in the centre of the College Road pavement have been left incomplete by the council since they appeared last autumn.
Where vegetation was initially intended in the centre, a dirt filled hole has instead been left unfinished, acting as a rubbish tip for waste to accumulate.
Local resident Kath, 81, said: “They are ugly, not nice at all, and you know what, there will be graffiti on them in the end.
“People are not sitting on them, people just leave their litter in them.
“Actually I saw one man sitting on them drinking a can of coke, he left the can there and walked off!”
The structures were part of a multi-million pound street beautification scheme announced by Harrow Council which commenced last spring.
Introducing the scheme on their site back in autumn 2023, Harrow Council said: “We’ve received funding – £7.1 million through the Government’s Future High Streets Fund and will use £1.1m of our own borough funds from the Community Infrastructure Levy scheme to enhance Harrow Town Centre and make it a better-connected, more accessible, and sustainable space.”
However, many have voiced their concern about if the obstructive benches have been a suitable use of the investment.
Located closely outside of the station, the concrete seating areas serve as blockades during rush hour footfall, leaving those with mobility issues significantly impeded.
Tom, 24, said: “They’re hard to miss, they block up the pathways making it hard for disabled access and pushchairs.”
With many people from Harrow voicing their dissatisfaction with the council’s attempts to improve the local area, some are asking the question, is this the best way to spend our money?
Ben, 35, said: “We pay extortionate amounts of council tax and they are causing more congestion.”
George, 22, added: “They’re silly and a waste of money, they should put pretty benches there instead.”
Conservative Councillor Matthew Goodwin-Freeman said: “The reason for the delay could be that the cold of winter is not an ideal time to plant young, new flowers.
“If the crews were to fill the seated planters with loose compost, it would likely be stolen or thrown around, causing mess.
“As the weather warms, I expect the new planters to be filled and looking beautiful.”
A Harrow Council spokesperson said: “The planters on College Road are part of a programme of externally funded town centre enhancements, which are helping to make Harrow’s main shopping area a greener and more pleasant place to spend time.
“The programme was subject to a five-week public consultation and we’re continuing to listen to local residents and businesses.
“They’ve told us that the planters are too large, so we’re pausing this part of the project and will soon replace them with smaller versions before filling with soil and attractive planting, as planned.
“We’re meanwhile aware that the empty planters are attracting litter and are keeping on top of this issue.”
Join the discussion