The new benches at West Bay are "not to deter motorcyclist" from the area, says Bridport Town Council's town clerk.

Picnic benches were installed by Bridport Town Council last month at the West Bay welcome hub, near to the kiosks and The George pub, an area where motorcyclists park.

They caused backlash from some on social media who said they are "making it harder" for motorcyclists to visit West Bay and they were "a clear signal they [the town council] didn't want them [motorcyclists] there".

However, others welcomed the new addition, branding them "bright and clean", a "great improvement" and a "good idea".

Town clerk Will Austin was reporting to councillors at a planning meeting that the benches had been installed and said: "Those are there to try and discourage motorcyclists from parking on the pavement area of the welcome hub, whilst welcoming them to park on the marked motorcycle bays on that area.

"We are certainly not trying to deter motorcyclists coming to Bridport as seems to have been reported in some quarters."

Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter below!

You can submit your own news straight to Bridport Nub News by using the 'Nub It' button on our home page. This can also be done for events on our What's On page and businesses, groups and organisations on our Local Listings page , also by using the 'Nub It' button.

Please like and follow our online newspaper on your favourite social media channel. You can find us @BridportNubNews on Facebook and Twitter.