The use of planters on James Street in Harrogate for social distancing purposes is set to be reviewed as lockdown restrictions ease.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire County Council‘s executive member for access, told the Stray Ferret the issue would be reviewed next month.
June 21 is the date in the roadmap when the government is due to lift all limits on social contact.
At the start of the pandemic North Yorkshire County Council closed off parking bays to give pedestrians more room to spread out, in a move that upset some businesses.
A year later, planters and traffic cones remain on several streets in Harrogate and Knaresborough and it’s unclear how long they will stay.
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The measures continue to be a bone of contention. Harrogate Residents Association has set up a petition calling for their removal. So far, 561 people have signed.
Anna McIntee, one of the association’s founders, said:
“Please remove the planters that are blocking parking for customers on James Street and Albert Street in Harrogate town centre.
“It’s vital customers have convenient access to our shops as they try to recover from the pandemic.”
‘Victory for the people!’: Harrogate’s plastic grass removed this morning
Harrogate Borough Council has removed the plastic grass from planters on Cambridge Street after a huge backlash.
Workers have already taken out the fake turf as the council considers what to do next to brighten up the town centre. It said yesterday it hoped to have something vibrant in place by June.
Last night’s council apology prompted a big reaction on social media. Many praised the council for holding its hand up and admitting it had made a mistake while others called for it to collaborate more with people and groups to prevent a repeat.
Sarah Gibbs, an environmental campaigner who set up a petition calling for the removal of the fake grass, told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s a victory for the people. This change shows that people power really does work.
“I was really pleased when I saw the council’s second apology. This is a real one this this time because they are actually doing something about it.
“The petition still stands though. It also called for the council to work with schools, businesses and others to manage the planters.”
So far, in just under two days, her petition has attracted about 500 signatures.
Read more:
- Harrogate council agrees to remove plastic grass
- Extinction Rebellion replaces fake grass with flowers in Harrogate
Shan Oakes, a spokesperson for the Green Party in Harrogate, said:
“It’s good that the council have apologised and accepted that they had done something wrong.
“I just hope the council will review its policy on biodiversity going forward, it needs to change its whole outlook.
“There should be a people’s assembly. If the council collaborated with people then this would have been avoided.”
How it looked before the plastic grass was removed.
While many called over the last two weeks for the council to remove the astro turf, Extinction Rebellion Harrogate took direct action last week when it replaced the plastic grass with plants in one of the raised beds.
Jess Thompson, who took part in the protest, told the Stray Ferret;
Harrogate’s mixed reaction to James Street planters“We are pleased with the council’s apology. It is a positive step but there is still a way to go.
“Biodiversity needs to be the priority, not aesthetics. I do not know how much would have been done if we did not take action.
“Hopefully the council will use this as an opportunity. Hopefully the people will also continue to hold those in power accountable.”
Few topics, it seems, generate more debate in Harrogate than the planters on James Street.
The Stray Ferret put a picture of the new car parking blockers on our social media feeds late last night and more than 150 people have already posted comments.
The council had promised to provide “eye-catching” planters to replace the cones it had installed as part of covid social distancing measures on the popular shopping street.
But the reaction, it has to be said, was distinctly mixed. Some approved, albeit with caveats:
“I like them, better than seeing those orange cones everywhere.”
“Better than cones but a bit small, look dwarfed by the space around them.”
But there were concerns about everything ranging from the impact on parking to whether they might be trip hazards or even attract the attention of thieves. Here’s a sample:
“I have just walked through town and I am utterly shocked at how many streets these complete waste of money have been put on. Surely it is not beyond the common sense of the council to realise there are many businesses in town that are not shops and are reliant on this parking for staff and customers?”
“These stupid pots of weeds (well they will be weeds in a couple of weeks) are another nail in the coffin of retail.”
“I’m sure they’ll drag thousands in and increase footfall.
The shop owners must feel so thankful that they have such a far sighted council.”
The social distancing cones on James Street, Harrogate.
“Trip hazard, hope the council’s insurance policy is up to date.”
“Hazard, someone is going to end up running into them. Are they even visible at night?”
Read more:
- James Street social distancing cones to be replaced with planters
- James Street pedestrianisation looms amid ’empty shops’ warning
One person suggested the road should be cobbled like York and parking restricted to maintain the character and encourage social distancing.
Some people have been having fun with the planters and photoshopped Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men into the picture.
The issue of cost inevitably was raised.
“Were the cones not working? Shame the money wasn’t spent helping the other streets in Harrogate that have independent businesses all trying to survive.”
It has to be said the majority of comments were not of approval. But some did acknowledge that flowers were better than cones.
“It’s better to have some natural cheer than the typical plastic misery.”