New flower beds signal green greenfingered money-saving plans (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

New flower beds signal green greenfingered money-saving plans

2:29pm Friday 4th December 2009

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The flower beds outside the Town Hall in Reigate have undergone a major transformation as part of green money-saving plans.

The make-over in the last few weeks is part of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's plans to save money and to help lower its carbon footprint and water usage.

The new look forms part of the council’s gradual change towards using lower maintenance, more drought-tolerant plants and shrubs.

Outside reception, a new dwarf lavender border has been created, along with a dry scree bed, constructed using a range of plants that can tolerate dry conditions such as ornamental grasses and rock garden plants. A water-worn Cotswold shingle and Cotswold stone chip mulch has been laid on top of the soil to keep in moisture and suppress weeds.

Other changes include a variety of herbaceous plants and shrubs being planted in the border that runs along the front of the Town Hall, and a new rose bed.

The landscaping scheme was designed by the council’s horticultural manager, Paul Donoghue, and planted by the in-house grounds maintenance team.

Paul said: "This new scheme will need very little day-to-day maintenance and will improve over time as the plants become established.”

Julian Ellacott, borough council executive member for environment, said: “It is no longer viable for us to retain the large number of bedding plant schemes in the borough’s parks and roundabouts in their current form.

“The council must act responsibly to reduce its costs, and the planting schemes are being altered to help achieve this.” He said: “Traditional bedding plants need regular watering and require a high level of maintenance to keep them looking nice. “Switching to lower maintenance, more drought-resistant planting schemes is just one way in which we can reduce our water usage, fuel consumption and maintenance costs.

“In the coming months we will be making similar changes to other sites across the borough.”

The scheme was put together in consultation with councillors and staff and financed by income from the council’s roundabout advertising. Funds from roundabout sponsorship also help pay for the pedestrian barrier baskets and floral displays in the borough’s town and village centres.

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