Part of a council’s £1m high street transformation is being scrapped after officials admitted defeat in stopping people from using it as a toilet.
As part of the St George’s Street renovation in Canterbury, the city council installed planters across the area to add a splash of greenery.
However, two years after they were built, council chiefs have confessed they are fighting a losing battle in trying to save them from being soaked in urine, cigarette butts or fast food wrappers.
Announcing the news, a council spokesman said: “While undoubtedly the correct thing to have tried in the revamp of St George’s Street, the shrubs have simply not been able to survive with the amount of liquid going on them that should not have been.”
However, it has left many residents frustrated, both with the council and the city’s inhabitants.
Lifelong Canterbury man David Daniels lamented the perceived lack of care towards the city, saying: “I remember when people used to take pride in the city and look after it, that seems to have changed for the worse, unfortunately.
“The high street is like the Wild West at night, and as much as I’m sure the council are fighting a losing battle, I’ve never seen the city looking so dirty as it is now.”
In response to the council’s public statement, Wesley Baker added: “The people are truly disgusting.
“Compared to other countries in Europe, we have a breed of individuals who spread rubbish and are dirty, spoiling everything.
“Urinating in planters, pouring drinks, and discarding rubbish reveal the level of disrespect that is prevalent in our local society, which was never this bad.”
Vic Streeting added: “Planters never really work in a cityscape – especially adjacent to a 24 hour fast food outlet.”
Others attempted to find a solution, with Liam Henderson’s suggestion of simply replacing them with bins well received, calling them “clearly needed”.
George Styles said: “The Dutch have a creative solution, which we should copy.
“After dark, hidden public urinals emerge from the ground, like the bollards near Westgate.
“They provided a modicum of modesty with curved rails, and let’s face it, would be a better option for those who are happy to pee in the planter.”
Work will now take place to remove the shrubs while the planters will be filled in as a makeshift solution – the council is considering extending the benches in the area to fill the gap.
The scrapping of the planter project comes months after fines for dropping cigarette butts in the planters were overturned – as Cllr Connie Nolan admitted they did look like ashtrays.
