Popular hanging baskets which have adorned a town centre bridge for years will be missing from this year’s Flower Show due to health and safety.
The displays on the English Bridge, which have developed a reputation for its striking floral displays since the 1970s, have been removed to allow repairs to be carried out to stonework underneath the plants.
The cost of masonry repairs is estimated at £3,500, and no date has been set for its completion.
The bridge is owned and managed by Shropshire County Council, which recently informed Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council officers that the work would need to be carried out.
Residents have spoken of their shock at the decision and feel it is a sad move considering the town’s 121st Shrewsbury Flower Show is this weekend.
The town has been spruced up in recent weeks in preparation for the show.
Residents, schools and businesses have also been coming up with ideas and displays throughout the year as part of our Grow Your Own campaign.
Borough councillor Judith Williams, portfolio holder for recycling and sustainability, said the removal of the hanging baskets was a disappointing decision.
“I see it as a great loss to the town,” she said.
“It is a case of more red tape and health and safety. SCC in their great wisdom have decreed that the structure on which the baskets were on is no longer appropriate due to health and safety.”
Laura Owen, communications officer for SCC, said: “Six months ago the street lighting team replaced the lamps and cables on the English Bridge and one of the lampstands was unstable so a decision was made to take down the hanging baskets on all of the lampstands because of health and safety.
“We will discuss if SABC will replace them once the columns are repaired with smaller baskets, so they’re not too heavy.”