attempt to improve the city.

And in doing so they knocked down one of the Island's most popular hang-out spots.

The stone bench on the corner of Washington and Church streets, known as Nellie's Walk, was removed as a result of "continuous complaints from the public''.

Nellie's Walk, located near the bus terminal, has been a favourite rendezvous site for generations.

But in response to recent complaints, the Nellie's Walk bench was demolished by Corporation workers.

Corporation secretary Roger Sherratt said: "For quite some time now we've had complaints about youths who sit and stand around that bench. They park their bikes there and obstruct the sidewalk. We've also had complaints of young people drinking (alcohol) in that area and urinating behind the bushes.'' But Mr. Sherratt denied suggestions that knocking down the bench was a direct reaction to the recent outbreaks of violence at the bus terminal.

"This is not really linked to the trouble with school children,'' he said.

"We were already planning this because we had been having complaints for some time. But it might be in everybody's best interest to have the bench removed.'' The Corporation also removed the cycle parking bays which previously stood outside of the Haagen-Dazs Shoppe, on Church Street, opposite Nellie's Walk.

But these were relocated -- unlike the bench -- to outside of the Cable & Wireless building.

"A couple of weeks ago while on a tour with the (Bermuda Physically) Handicapped Association it was pointed out that the sidewalk by the bays was too high,'' Mr. Sherratt explained.

"The sidewalk needed to be lowered to make the ramp less steep. We want to improve and widen the sidewalks so they're not congested with pedestrians and teenagers sitting on privately owned bikes.'' The adjustments were just the next step toward upgrading the City, Mr. Sherratt added.