Planter '˜skips' are rubbish - Ballymena public on social media
![One of the planters which have been described as 'silver skips' by locals on social media](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/legacy_oak_89898542.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![One of the planters which have been described as 'silver skips' by locals on social media](/img/placeholder.png)
The ‘skips’ - actually planting boxes which contain a tree - are the latest development in the tortuously slow and controversial public realm scheme which began with a fanfare of publicity amidst promises that it would transform Ballymena’s town centre and boost retail performance.
So far, the promises have not been delivered with the most evident transformation consisting of seemingly endless rows of barriers which quite clearly infuriate both shopkeepers and shoppers alike.
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Hide AdBut the arrival of the skips has prompted the local social media scene to explode with comments ranging from the bemused to seriously angry.
![Another view of a planter in Broughshane Street](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/legacy_oak_89898545.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Another view of a planter in Broughshane Street](/img/placeholder.png)
One retailer posted: “Not content with digging up the pavements and leaving the town in a mess, Mid & East Antrim’s newest scheme to completely ruin the town centre trade is to stick huge planters in front of our shop with a 12 foot tree to block out the front vista of our shop.
“You couldn’t make it up!”
And the perception of most members of the local public was summed up by the lady who reacted with surprise when told the items were part of the public realm scheme.
She posted: “I thought they were skips or something!”
![Another view of a planter in Broughshane Street](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/legacy_oak_89898545.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Another view of a planter in Broughshane Street](/img/placeholder.png)
On a serious note several posters said they had witnessed people with disabilities ‘struggling’ to get around the planters.
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Hide AdA local trader added: “It is hard enough for an able-bodied person to make their way through these barrier systems but these skips are a total joke.”
Another woman said: “The flowerpot things are an obvious nightmare as shoppers have to negotiate around them.
“They are also an eyesore as they look like huge bins and I’m sure they will keep the poor cleaners busy cleaning them out.”