Controversial planters that were blasted by Vale residents will be moved, the council has confirmed.
The 32 colourful plant boxes, which feature designs inspired by the town’s former Turkey Red dye works and cost £20,000, sparked an outcry from locals when they appeared on the road around the busy Main Street.
West Dunbartonshire Council confirmed that the planters would be moved to other locations throughout the area later in the year.
It comes after a car hit one planter which sparked complaints after it appeared to have been positioned jutting out into the roadway.
A spokesperson said: “The planters are a temporary measure introduced as part of a wider Spaces for People project around the Smollett Fountain, which aims to reduce traffic dominance around Alexandria Main Street and increase opportunities for walking and cycling.
“Further traffic surveys are being undertaken this week and this data, together with information and feedback from the community already gathered as part of the trial, will be analysed and used to inform the permanent changes made.
“When these changes are introduced later this year, the planters will be moved to other locations in West Dunbartonshire.”
The boxes were described by locals as an “accident waiting to happen” which unfortunately proved true when a vehicle hit one outside the Halo Hair Salon on Main Street last week.
Lauren John from the salon told us: “The planter right outside our window was hit. They are just a danger where they are.
“They could look gorgeous in the Christie Park or something, but not right on the main road. They say they are to make the area more pedestrian friendly, but they don’t widen the pavement and the traffic that goes through the Vale has nowhere else to go – unless it goes onto Middleton Street, which is dangerous for the school when it goes back.
“It’s only a matter of time before there is another bump.
“The change of layouts to the lights doesn’t help matters. It’s not going to be long before someone hits them again.”
Earlier this month, the Lennox was inundated with comments from residents concerned about the safety of the planters for motorists and pedestrians – whilst others couldn’t believe that they had been installed whilst the crumbling Mitchell Way remains an eyesore, more than a decade after improvement works were promised.
Emma Truscott, who wrote to Jackie Baillie MSP with her concerns, said: “A bit of folk art doesn’t disguise the fact that there are trees growing out of the surrounding buildings.
“Alexandria should and could be bustling and prosperous but it has been starved of the investment it needs.
“It is an absolute disgrace.”
Where would you like to see the planters placed?
Last week we asked our readers on Facebook what they would like to see done with the Vale’s planters, and they certainly weren’t short of suggestions.
Dani Clifford said: “Move them along to Christie Park, they look totally out of place like someone just left them there instead of putting them where they were supposed to go.”
Courtney McLaughlin posted: “Down the Leven path or round Christie Park” whilst Donna Murdoch suggested: “In a park or in an old folks home or even on hospital grounds where they could be enjoyed – not at the side of a busy road.”
And those thoughts were echoed by Ian Fisher. He commented: “Why West Dunbartonshire Council think what they have done at the fountain is, in any way, a good idea is beyond me.
“Vehicular traffic flow is impaired and the planters are a hazard for pedestrians and vehicles alike.
“The planters look totally out of place.
“Relocate them to nursery or primary schools, parks or homes for the elderly.
“The kids and elderly folk could plant them and they would provide a lovely splash of colour.”
Other residents, meanwhile, weren’t keen on keeping the strikingly designed additions on display. Catherine Page posted: “They are not attractive or necessary.
“I’m sorry to say, they are an eyesore and completely out of place.”
Raymond Lamb said: “The junction at the fountain is a complete laughing stock.
“First they narrow the roads which there was no need to.
“Then they put these hideous boxes scattered all round it like something out of Billy Smart’s circus.”
AJ Mullen added: “The best place for them is Dalmoak recycling centre or even in the fields. Cows wouldn’t mind them as a water trough.”
