Southport’s poorly kept roundabouts will undermine our chance in Britain in Bloom

Two Southport councillors have marched into action to improve what they call the “appalling state” of two of Southport’s roundabouts as Britain in Bloom judgement day looms.

Cambridge Ward Lib Dem Councillors Sue McGuire and Pat Keith say they are dismayed at the condition of the Argyle Road and Cambridge Road roundabouts.

“Last year Councillor McGuire and myself paid for these roundabouts to be planted out of our own Cambridge Ward funds and we did this on the understanding that they would be kept weed free and maintained,” said Councillor Keith.

“ But this has not happened and the roundabouts look a sorry sight, especially in a town that prides itself on its floral displays and has always been a leading contender for honours in the  Britain in Bloom competition.

“We’ve asked Sefton Council to take urgent steps to tidy the two roundabouts which, quite frankly, are a blight on the town.”

Southport will be judged by Britain in Bloom on July 28 and the two councillors are concerned that the poor state of the roundabouts, which are at key junctions, will have a negative effect on the judging and undermine the work undertaken by the green fingered volunteers on Lord Street, Rotten Row, Hesketh Park and the Botanic Gardens.

Photo: Rotten Row volunteers

Photo: Botanic Gardens

Councillor Sue McGuire said “Sometimes the short sightedness of Sefton Council astounds me. When the Council put forward the proposal for roundabout sponsorship we argued that part of the sponsorship money should be ring fenced and used for on-going maintenance of the roundabouts. This suggestion was ignored and as a result the roundabouts are now just islands of weeds”.

“We assumed that the Council would make some attempt at maintenance in addition to grass cutting – how wrong we were. Council regulations mean that we can’t pay for any on-going maintenance ourselves and the volunteers are banned from tackling the roundabouts for health and safety reasons.”

“We have asked the Council to take urgent steps to at least weed these roundabouts before the judging visit so I hope that they will – and that civic pride will prevail.”