A RAILING that strangely stopped people sitting in a row of seats in Bromsgrove High Street is to be removed.

Several seating areas surrounding trees were included as part of the new street furniture in the regenerated High Street, which officially opened in August.

But after the opening, residents contacted the Advertiser wondering why the railing had been erected on a row of seats at the north end of High Street, facing The Strand.

The Advertiser contacted Worcestershire County Council asking for clarification, particularly as some residents said it was an area they may like to sit.

A spokesman from the authority explained similarly positioned seats at the other end of High Street had the same railing, as a mechanical gate is in place to stop private vehicles entering the street.

As the gate is too close to the seats, the authority felt it was a safety issue for High Street users to sit there.

The plan was to also have a mechanical gate at The Strand end, and a railing was put up in anticipation.

But after it was decided the gate was not needed the railing was not removed, leading to the confusion.

The railing is expected to be removed by council contractors this week.