Flower ban on Bridgnorth entrance gets lifted
Flowers have returned to one of the main entrances to Bridgnorth – as talks look likely to make sure they remain a permanent fixture.
Shropshire Council ordered the troughs to be taken from Low Town bridge last month for health and safety reasons. But Bridgnorth Town Council members say the containers are entirely safe and are fixed in a similar way to those on bridges in other Shropshire towns including Shrewsbury.
The councils have agreed to let the flowers to return temporarily. And discussions will be held between them in an effort to ensure the flowers can stay.
County council engineers said the troughs, which have been bolted and bracketed to railings on the crossing at Bridge Street for two years, should removed as they could cause a danger by falling in the river and striking canoes and boats below. There was also concern about them damaging the bridge.
Town Council clerk Anne Wilson said: "They are more safe than some barrier boxes in other towns in Shropshire.
"It is likely that, if Shropshire Council would like any changes to the way barriers are hung on the bridge, it will be asked for a contribution towards the costs given that it gave permission for the barrier boxes to be hung as they are on the bridge over two years ago."
She said county engineers had ruled out worries about the flowers damaging to the bridge and claimed brackets used to hold the troughs meant it was impossible for them to fall into the river below.
People in the town today welcomed the return of the flowers and called for them to remain in future years.
Trevor Ross said: "We love Bridgnorth and the flowers give it the appearance of a French town."
