Sheffield councillors furious after planters of flowers were removed

The planters, which were on a strip of pavement by the main shopping parade at Broomhill, were relocated by the council to Division Street.

But local Green councillors Angela Argenzio and Kaltum Rivers say they were never informed.

The council recently closed the parking bays saying the space was needed for social distancing so councillors can't understand why the planters were removed.

Coun Angela Argenzio said: "I, like local people, assumed that the new social distancing measures would involve the removal of the parking spaces.

"Would it not have made more sense to have some kind of barrier to stop cars entering the parking bays?

"If barriers had been put in place, there would have been no need to remove the planters and upset local residents. There would have been ample space there for shoppers and pedestrians to maintain social distance.

"Why were local councillors not consulted, or at least informed out of courtesy, about the changes?

"We could have told the council that local residents take pride in the look of the shop parade and plant spring bulbs and summer plants and even apply to the ward pot for them, so suddenly removing the planters would not go down well.

"It seems to me that decisions are made without taking into account the local knowledge of democratically elected members.

"It feels like unless you are from the majority party somehow you are completely excluded from decisions, or even information, about your own ward, as if the people who voted for you somehow count less."

Sheffield Council said the planters would be reinstated eventually.

Coun Bob Johnson, Cabinet member for transport, said: "Planters blocking this pedestrian route have been temporarily removed to Division Street where they will form part of the road closure to encourage active travel in the city centre.

"As the initial temporary road closure measures on Division Street are upgraded, the planters will be reinstated to Broomhill."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to The Star website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.