Controversial £20,000 planters in Alexandria are set to be removed, after being branded “a waste of money” by the council leader.
The 32 boxes – which cost £635 each – were placed near the Smollett Fountain at the junction between Main Street and Bank Street last July, sparking disbelief and outrage from residents.
The garish designs were created by pupils at Vale of Leven Academy to celebrate the town’s textile heritage with Turkey Red-style animal and flower motifs.
They were funded through the Scottish Government’s Sustrans’ Spaces for People Scheme, however did little to impress locals who asked: “Why are they putting out wee frilly bits when half of the town looks like it is crumbling?
“It has been described as like a row of coffins. This has turned the Vale into a laughing stock.”
Another resident, Emma Truscott, wrote to local MSP Jackie Baillie with her concerns, whilst business owners reported seeing the planters struck by passing cars.
The project aimed to minimise traffic and make the area more pedestrian and cyclist friendly and create a ‘gateway’
into Alexandria Main Street.
However, at a hustings organised by the Alexandria Traders Association and the pilot Alexandria Community Council last week, council leader Jonathan McColl admitted that the boxes would soon be removed.
Responding to a question from Rev. Ian Miller, the SNP member said: “Don’t get me started on those bloody flower pots. That was a waste of money, I’m just glad it wasn’t council money.
“I know it was school kids who designed them. But my God.”
Community Party candidate for Lomond, Drew MacEoghainn, said that the planters were indicative of the problems faced by residents in the Vale.
He said: “Masterplans are great. But we also need things done tomorrow.
“Because that’s where we lose people. People end up looking at things and think that nothing has happened.
“I could go down now and four or five of us could remove those flower boxes.
“There are gutters with flowers growing out of them. Why don’t we do things like that now?”
MacEoghainn’s comments were met by rapturous applause from the audience, with Leven SNP candidate Ronnie McColl confirming that the installations would be removed.
However, McColl ignored comments from hecklers asking for a date of removal.
Last year a West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman said: “The introduction of the planters was subject to a road safety audit, which identified no concerns.”
A WDC spokesperson confirmed that the planters would be removed this month and that alternative uses for them were being investigated.
