Opinion

Removal of Belfast benches sent wrong message

There will be a widespread welcome for yesterday's reinstatement of wooden benches used by rough sleepers in Belfast city centre which had previously been removed without any form of consultation.

A considerable debate has taken place since the move was first revealed by The Irish News, and it has been accepted on all sides that the authorities face complex and difficult problems over homelessness and anti-social behaviour.

However, the abrupt disappearance of the seats during one of the coldest periods of the year, leaving only bare concrete slabs sitting in a prominent location on High Street, sent out all the wrong messages,

Belfast City Council is planning further discussions with a range of agencies, and there is every reason to hope that progress can be made on addressing the related issues.