Robbing Peter to pay Paul? It's farewell to Pier Gardens for dozens of its much-loved shrubs

 

Help yourselves! The shrubs removal teams move in

DOZENS of mature shrubs and other plants are being removed from Pier Gardens in preparation for much of the greenery to be replaced with hard surfacing.

Although they were all healthy and long-lived, North East Lincolnshire Council believes the shrubs have outlived their value to the resort.

The first batch of unwanted shrubs have been transferred to a rose garden and the West Marsh allotments site in Grimsby and to the family hub in Immingham for the purpose of creating a 24-metre planted border.

They were dug up by teams from  Grimsby in Bloom and Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire.

The shrubs are said to include lavender and bamboo.

Enthuses Rob Patchett of VANEL: "This is an excellent idea, and we are thrilled to be part of this project.

"Personally, I like the fact these plants will be spread across the borough so there will be a little bit of Pier Gardens in numerous locations across the borough."

Equally "thrilled" is John Walker, of  Grimsby in Bloom, who says: "We are doing a lot of work in relation to regeneration in Grimsby, so it’s great to be involved with Cleethorpes, too. 

"The plants we’ve chosen will be used to build up shrubbery  and be used by our volunteers to learn how to care for plants."

It is not known how many existing shrubs and plants will be retained in Pier Gardens, nor whether it will continue to be referred to as a 'gardens'. 

Alternative titles, such as 'concourse' and 'plaza', have been suggested for some parts of the site.

NELC insists there will be  some new planting both "to provide a playful, dynamic that moves and changes with the seasons"  and "support numerous bird species and insects".

As yet, however, it has not identified what bird  species and insects it expects might be "supported".

An example of what might be on offer can be seen at the revamped Riverhead Square in Grimsby, though, thus far, some regard this project to have been underwhelming.

Regarding  Pier Gardens' trees, some whitebeams on the perimeter  have been felled though the council says it hopes to remain most of the others which are fine, mature and healthy specimens.

Says a spokesperson: "Where trees have been removed, this is to open up views in key areas, facilitate elements of the design or to benefit the wider health of other trees across the site."

A third individual said by the authority to be "thrilled" at what is happening is NELC's leader, Cllr Philip Jackson.

Says he: "Our regeneration scheme for the site marks huge positive change for Cleethorpes."

NELC has not revealed how many Cleethorpes councillors, residents and visitors have been consulted about the transfer of shrubs to other parts of the borough.

It maintains the remodelling will be of  "benefit" to residents and visitors alike. 

Out they come! Whether they like it  or not the shrubs are being taken away from Cleethorpes