Blooming shame as iconic city hedge display has disappeared

HAVING GREETED MOTORISTS INTO THE CITY FOR 20 YEARS, DISPLAY NOW UNREADABLE

- By ZENA HAWLEY

CRITICISED as an eyesore almost exactly 12 months ago, the famous “Derby in Bloom” hedging display appears to be now non-existent and has disappeared under a mound of foliage - leading to Pentagon Island being described as looking like “Jurassic Park”.

A number of people have expressed concern to the Derby Telegraph that the display at one of the most prominent gateways into the city, which has made them feel proud in the past, is looking untidy and neglected.

But the council says it may have plans for the display.

Thousands drive around the traffic island each day but the vegetation is getting ever more dense.

Councillor Steve Hassall, Conservative group opposition leader, said that people have also been remarking to him about the general unkempt state of the city.

Mr Hassall said: “The most prominent gateway into our city at the Pentagon Island, the one that greets thousands of visitors on a daily basis, looks like Jurassic Park.

“The old ‘Derby In Bloom’ topiary has long gone and has been consumed by Mother Nature who clearly has the upper hand here and our lacklustre council is quite happy to sit back and watch her take over.