3 days ago
Elmley Castle bicycle stands leave people racked off
Bike racks placed near a Worcestershire pub are so messy, according to tongue-in-cheek critics, they seem to have been installed under the influence of miffed residents say the county council provision - on narrow pavement next to a road - takes up too much room, posing problems for wheelchairs. But not all feedback to a council Facebook post on the racks, outside the Queen Elizabeth Inn in Elmley Castle, has been gloomy. One user said the comments thread was simply "negative" and "toxic". Another added the stands had been "well used".The council has been contacted for comment.
The authority previously said of the installation: "Whether you're out for a scenic spin or just pedalling to the pub, we've got you covered."That rationale, however, has not been enough to stop the naysayers from, well, racking Spacing and angles of the apparatus have been criticised, along with resurfacing work. One Facebook user wrote: "What did they use to install them, a hand grenade?"Another joked that workers seemed to have put in the racks "after a few pints".One a more serious point, someone else remarked of the stands' siting: "That [pub] is a listed building and [the racks look] appalling! Where is the thought for the less mobile residents, wheelchairs and even parents with prams?"They added: "Waste of money in my opinion and detrimental to the character of this beautiful village and building."A commentator feeling more appreciative wrote: "Great initiative – it has been well used since the installation and is much appreciated."Elmley Castle is described by its parish council as "one of the most beautiful villages in Worcestershire and probably in England".The village nestles below the slopes of Bredon Hill in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
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