Rottingdean controversial planter removed from road

A digger lifted the wooden plant box in High Street, Rottingdean, out of the road this morning.

The planter was introduced in 2019 in an effort to tackle pollution in the area but its effectiveness has been the focus of debate among residents ever since.

Brighton and Hove City Council has now removed the planter so it can monitor pollution levels on the road and make an informed decision on the planter’s future.

“Officers acknowledge the planter may cause revving as vehicles accelerate to get around it when there is a gap in northbound traffic,” read a report to the transport and sustainability committee.

“Nitrous oxide results from the nearest monitor have not improved significantly since 2020.

People say the planter has caused queues (Image: The Argus)

“Based on data currently available, it is not possible to say that the planter has had a positive impact.

“There is no base-line or post-installation data because traffic diverting along Steyning Road to avoid the lower High Street has not been monitored.

“There are counters on Chailey Avenue but these will not count diverting traffic using Newlands Avenue to access the A259 avoiding the lower High Street.

“This means it is not possible to measure the contribution the planter has made through diversions.”

READ MORE: Controversial Rottingdean planter returns to high street

But the response on social media to the removal today has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Glad it’s gone, caused more pollution, stupid idea in the first place, well done for removal,” said one person.

While another said: “About time... how anyone thought it would cut pollution I don't know. All it did was make the traffic queue further back up the road.”

Residents were granted a brief respite in October last from the planter when it was removed to allow for scaffolding to be put up outside a shop in High Street.

But it returned later the same month.