Real flowers swapped for plastic ones to save water during drought

By Nathan Pynn

A cash-strapped council has planted fake flowers in pots because real blooms are too expensive to water.

North East Lincolnshire Council swapped genuine displays for plastic planters on the A180 overpass in Grimsby, insisting the move was needed because of the "ongoing drought and hosepipe ban."

Town hall bosses say the plastic flowers cost just £320 (more than $400), compared with a whopping £1,000-a-week (more than $1,250) bill to water real plants over the 10-week summer period.

And while some locals blasted the blooms as "ridiculous" and "bad for the environment," others hailed them as "long lasting and very economical."

Councillor Bob Callison told the BBC: "We took the decision not to use real flowers as we did not want to add to water shortages.

"The cost of real displays and watering was extremely expensive, and we wanted a quick way of brightening up this dull area of concrete for drivers who were passing by and just seeing dried up dead displays in our planters."

Residents in the town are split over the decision to swap real flowers for fakes.

One local said: "I think it sends the wrong message about using plastic which is bad for the environment.

More from this section

+5

Research shows test could spot sepsis in hours instead of days

From flames to haze, wildfire smoke transforms as it travels, and it can harm your health in different ways

Changes to Facebook and Instagram are key part of Meta’s $17B settlement with the states over harm to teens

"It's true the flowers in the planters probably look the same as real ones but do we really want more plastic being used?

"Real plants absorb fumes from cars so they are more than just decorative."

Another stormed: "We're proud of our floral displays and even got a gold at a Grimsby in Bloom competition a few years back so it's embarrassing to have plastic flowers now.

"I think fake flowers look ridiculous and I really fear the council will slowly but surely replace the real ones in the town centre with plastic ones to save a few quid."

Others backed the switch, saying saving water during a drought makes sense.

Dad-of-one Andy Myers, 30, said: "The fake flowers look just like the real ones and are cheaper so what's not to like?

"I think more people are used to seeing fake lawns and fake flower beds which are better because you they don't need watering."

Council chiefs insist there are no plans to replace flowers elsewhere in the borough with plastic versions, and Grimsby town centre displays will remain untouched.

A council spokesperson said there is currently "no definitive timescale" for bringing back real flowers because of the changing seasons, continuing drought and budget pressures.