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🇧🇪 Belgium /Elections & Politics

Opposition party calls for 50 new benches in Aarschot to combat loneliness

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • CD&V Aarschot is asking the city to install 50 benches in Aarschot and its districts.
  • The opposition party says benches could provide rest stops and encourage social contact, helping combat loneliness.
  • Residents can propose locations, including near care homes, the Laaksite, parks, and cycling or walking routes.

A bench can be more than a place to sit, according to CD&V Aarschot. The opposition party wants 50 new benches across the city and its districts, describing them as a way to fight loneliness as well as provide rest stops.

A bench is a meeting place that encourages a spontaneous conversation.

· Nele PelgrimsThe CD&V Aarschot chair explained why the party sees benches as a tool against loneliness.

Residents can submit locations where they believe a bench is needed. CD&V plans to use the suggestions to compile a list of suitable sites. The party says parks already have many benches, but some areas near residential care centres and the Laaksite still lack them.

That helps combat loneliness.

· Nele PelgrimsPelgrims described the social benefit of benches.

“A bench is a meeting place that encourages a spontaneous conversation,” said CD&V chair Nele Pelgrims. “That helps combat loneliness.”

Tourists, cyclists and walkers can make good use of them.

· Nele PelgrimsPelgrims highlighted the practical value of additional benches.

Pelgrims also pointed to practical benefits for tourists, cyclists and walkers. Older people could walk from one bench to the next, she said, making it easier for them to go outdoors. The party is seeking suggestions for locations in neighbourhoods, natural areas, and along cycling or walking paths, particularly in the districts where it says additional benches could be useful.

Older people can then walk from bench to bench.

· Nele PelgrimsPelgrims said benches could make it easier for older people to go outdoors.
About this summary

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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