Mrs Hedges said: "I do think it's a shame that we can't have flowers. But people will trip over anything, you'd be surprised."

So doesn't that mean they can trip over benches? What a joke, how long have the flower beds in Epping High Street been there and they aren't a problem, so why would new flowerbeds cause a problem?

There are flower beds at the other end of the High Street outside FatFace and the Post Office. These do not seem to be particularly hazardous. I am also aware that people can trip over anything, and no, this doesn't surprise me. How far is this ridiculous Health and Safety nannying supposed to go? Should we remove the traffic islands or the kerbs, in case people trip over them? The paving stones in case people trip over them? If it's a raised bed as at the other end of the High Street, surely it would be big enough for almost all to see, or for people to guide those who may have failing eyesight around. I can't actually believe I've just dignified this ridiculous article with a comment!

What a load of old cobblers. Why aren't they honest? They just want to avoid the costs of maintenance.

Observer wrote:
What a load of old cobblers. Why aren't they honest? They just want to avoid the costs of maintenance.

You know that's the real reason. So we get some rubbish benches while Loughton gets the nice street furniture and hanging baskets.

Because some idiot might trip over, the rest of the populace have to live a more drab existence. What a pathetic life Janet Hedges must have. Has she paved over the front and back garden of her bungalow? Has she removed all sharp objects from her kitchen? Does she wear a crash helmet when she climbs onto the toilet? She had better not look in a mirror - she might get frightened by her own reflection and have a heart attack.

Next she'll be telling us we need to cut down Epping Forest before a leaf flutters down and startles someone in autumn.

another example of the health and safety madness we have in this country.the authorities seem to have a policy of banning things 'just in case' something happens. why cant we live the way we want to live without some beauracratic nazi with a clipboard deciding what we can and cant do. australia here i come!

If people are so stupid, let them trip over them, in fact place them directly in the way.

Steve Johnson wrote:
If people are so stupid, let them trip over them, in fact place them directly in the way.

So let's hope you're among the first to do so.

Blame the health and safety mafia and the compensation lawyers for abolishing flowers from Epping High Street. Common sense has been replaced by bureaucratic paranoia which is making our town sterile and lifeless.

Sanj wrote:
Blame the health and safety mafia and the compensation lawyers for abolishing flowers from Epping High Street. Common sense has been replaced by bureaucratic paranoia which is making our town sterile and lifeless.

The thing is though, flowers haven't been ablished from the High Street, as you state.

Epping has flowerbeds with flowers in them, outside FatFace and Chaps barbers.

This is why this doesn't make any sense, why are flowerbeds okay for one end of the High Street but not the other? Is this a class issue?

Sanj wrote:
Blame the health and safety mafia and the compensation lawyers for abolishing flowers from Epping High Street. Common sense has been replaced by bureaucratic paranoia which is making our town sterile and lifeless.

LOL

You say you're from Epping but don't seem to know that Epping High Street has flowerbeds with flowers in them, do you walk around with your eyes closed?

Sarah put it right, why is it okay for the 'posh' end of the High Street to have flowerbeds but isn't okay for the other end?

As a rate payer I pay for the flowerbeds and flowers plus their up keep at the North-East end of the High Street. So why can't I enjoy them same at the other end of the High Street?

Unfortunately this seems to be another misleading article written by the Epping Forest Guardian and it is no wonder this site has received so many responses. Perhaps I could clarify some of the points made, having chaired this meeting.

As residents will know, last year a piazza was created by request of the District Council, which was received by local people with a mixed response. To this end, Epping Town Council has been considering way to make more use of the site and to make it a little prettier.

A whole host of ideas have been considered, from allowing local school children to design a more usable site to leaving it exactly as it is.

On 3rd June Epping Town Council agreed to form a working party to consider ways in which our High Street could be improved.

On the 1st July, the working party reported on a number of proposed improvements, such as replacing broken railings, removing graffiti etc. and the beautification of the piazza area was also debated.

A proposal was made to place a three sided bench around the base of the current water fountain – the side against the road would not be included – which was approved. Several other proposals were made, including having small, freestanding flower beds at each of the corners of the bench, which was defeated by a majority. Residents may not be aware that when the piazza was first installed, at each of the four corners of the water fountain a small concrete ball was fixed. Within just a few weeks, a number of reasonably serious accidents had occurred from members of the public who had tripped on the balls, which were swiftly removed.

Surely it would be irresponsible of the Town Council to recommend installing an item which we know has already proved to be a trip hazard? That isn’t to say that we will never recommend installing some form of flower planter on this site, it is just that the motion or proposal which was made at the meeting was defeated and no further suggestions were forthcoming.

Readers will also be aware that we operate our Monday Market from this site, so are limited to what we can do. Since the piazza was built, we have already had to remove 2 stalls from the market and I’m sure people wouldn’t wish to see our precious market reduced in size any further.

I hope this helps to answer most of the questions posted above, but I will, as ever, happily discuss this further with anyone who has further questions.

It is just unfortunate that this newspaper has chosen to sensationalise this story instead of presenting a fair and balanced account of the situation, but I am not surprised.

Cllr. Ben Murphy wrote:
Unfortunately this seems to be another misleading article written by the Epping Forest Guardian and it is no wonder this site has received so many responses. Perhaps I could clarify some of the points made, having chaired this meeting.

As residents will know, last year a piazza was created by request of the District Council, which was received by local people with a mixed response. To this end, Epping Town Council has been considering way to make more use of the site and to make it a little prettier.

A whole host of ideas have been considered, from allowing local school children to design a more usable site to leaving it exactly as it is.

On 3rd June Epping Town Council agreed to form a working party to consider ways in which our High Street could be improved.

On the 1st July, the working party reported on a number of proposed improvements, such as replacing broken railings, removing graffiti etc. and the beautification of the piazza area was also debated.

A proposal was made to place a three sided bench around the base of the current water fountain – the side against the road would not be included – which was approved. Several other proposals were made, including having small, freestanding flower beds at each of the corners of the bench, which was defeated by a majority. Residents may not be aware that when the piazza was first installed, at each of the four corners of the water fountain a small concrete ball was fixed. Within just a few weeks, a number of reasonably serious accidents had occurred from members of the public who had tripped on the balls, which were swiftly removed.

Surely it would be irresponsible of the Town Council to recommend installing an item which we know has already proved to be a trip hazard? That isn’t to say that we will never recommend installing some form of flower planter on this site, it is just that the motion or proposal which was made at the meeting was defeated and no further suggestions were forthcoming.

Readers will also be aware that we operate our Monday Market from this site, so are limited to what we can do. Since the piazza was built, we have already had to remove 2 stalls from the market and I’m sure people wouldn’t wish to see our precious market reduced in size any further.

I hope this helps to answer most of the questions posted above, but I will, as ever, happily discuss this further with anyone who has further questions.

It is just unfortunate that this newspaper has chosen to sensationalise this story instead of presenting a fair and balanced account of the situation, but I am not surprised.

Bit dull that one. Can't you ever admit that councillors look pompous and stupid and really not working on the things that matter for the people that elected them?

I'd have preferred the explanation that lets us all know how much the all the councilors earned in salaries and expenses while these high level discussions about flower pots were going on.

The public wrote:

Cllr. Ben Murphy wrote: Unfortunately this seems to be another misleading article written by the Epping Forest Guardian and it is no wonder this site has received so many responses. Perhaps I could clarify some of the points made, having chaired this meeting. As residents will know, last year a piazza was created by request of the District Council, which was received by local people with a mixed response. To this end, Epping Town Council has been considering way to make more use of the site and to make it a little prettier. A whole host of ideas have been considered, from allowing local school children to design a more usable site to leaving it exactly as it is. On 3rd June Epping Town Council agreed to form a working party to consider ways in which our High Street could be improved. On the 1st July, the working party reported on a number of proposed improvements, such as replacing broken railings, removing graffiti etc. and the beautification of the piazza area was also debated. A proposal was made to place a three sided bench around the base of the current water fountain – the side against the road would not be included – which was approved. Several other proposals were made, including having small, freestanding flower beds at each of the corners of the bench, which was defeated by a majority. Residents may not be aware that when the piazza was first installed, at each of the four corners of the water fountain a small concrete ball was fixed. Within just a few weeks, a number of reasonably serious accidents had occurred from members of the public who had tripped on the balls, which were swiftly removed. Surely it would be irresponsible of the Town Council to recommend installing an item which we know has already proved to be a trip hazard? That isn’t to say that we will never recommend installing some form of flower planter on this site, it is just that the motion or proposal which was made at the meeting was defeated and no further suggestions were forthcoming. Readers will also be aware that we operate our Monday Market from this site, so are limited to what we can do. Since the piazza was built, we have already had to remove 2 stalls from the market and I’m sure people wouldn’t wish to see our precious market reduced in size any further. I hope this helps to answer most of the questions posted above, but I will, as ever, happily discuss this further with anyone who has further questions. It is just unfortunate that this newspaper has chosen to sensationalise this story instead of presenting a fair and balanced account of the situation, but I am not surprised.

Bit dull that one. Can't you ever admit that councillors look pompous and stupid and really not working on the things that matter for the people that elected them? I'd have preferred the explanation that lets us all know how much the all the councilors earned in salaries and expenses while these high level discussions about flower pots were going on.

Ahh, I relish the opportunity to do so.

Not a single member of Epping Town Council claims a penny in expenses and they certainly aren't salaried...!!

Does that answer you question fully enough...!?