Smokers in Canterbury Get a Break: Council Admits Planters Look Like Ashtrays
In a surprising turn of events, the Canterbury City Council has decided to rescind fines issued to smokers who have been using newly installed planters as makeshift ashtrays. This decision comes after the council acknowledged that the planters, part of a £1 million high street transformation project, bear a striking resemblance to ashtrays, leading to confusion among the public.
The High Street Transformation
The recent overhaul of St George’s Street in Canterbury aimed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the area, with new benches and planters introduced to create a more inviting environment for shoppers and visitors. However, the installation of these planters, which are primarily filled with soil, has sparked unintended consequences. Instead of serving their intended purpose of beautifying the street, they have become a dumping ground for cigarette butts.
Fines and Public Backlash
Reports indicate that hundreds of pounds worth of fines were issued to smokers who discarded their cigarette butts into the planters. The standard penalty for littering in Canterbury is a hefty £200, which can be reduced to £100 if paid within ten days. This strict enforcement led to frustration among residents and smokers alike, who argued that the planters looked like bins rather than decorative installations.
Cllr Connie Nolan, the Labour cabinet member for enforcement, took notice of the issue during a recent council meeting. She expressed her concerns about the planters and the fines being issued, stating, “If they look like an ashtray, people are going to use them as an ashtray.” Her proactive approach led to the immediate rescinding of fines, highlighting the council’s recognition of the planters’ misleading design.
Community Reactions
The decision to cancel the fines has been met with mixed reactions from the community. Some residents, like Rosemary Delo, voiced their frustration over the unsightly appearance of the planters filled with cigarette butts. “It doesn’t look very nice in the plant pots,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for a solution to maintain the area’s cleanliness.
Others echoed her sentiments, noting that smokers often sit on the benches while waiting for their companions and inadvertently treat the planters as ashtrays. This behavior has contributed to the litter problem, prompting calls for the council to take action.
Council’s Response
In response to the public outcry, a spokesperson for Canterbury City Council explained that the decision to cancel the fines was made by a manager within the enforcement service. The spokesperson acknowledged the challenges of maintaining the planters and preventing them from being used as litter receptacles. “We accept that maintaining these and preventing them from being used for litter has been a challenge since we installed them,” they stated.
The council is now working on a plan to ensure that the planters serve their intended purpose of enhancing the city’s appearance while also addressing the littering issue. This may involve clearer signage or the installation of designated smoking areas to encourage responsible disposal of cigarette butts.
Conclusion
The situation in Canterbury serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in urban design and public behavior. While the intention behind the high street transformation was to create a more attractive environment, the unintended consequences of the planters have highlighted the need for thoughtful design that considers how public spaces will be used. As the council works to address these challenges, it remains to be seen how they will balance aesthetics with functionality in the heart of Canterbury.