Grimsby brightens A180 flyover with artificial flowers
Councillors opt for a water-saving splash of colour
Last updated 26th Aug 2026
In response to drought conditions and impending hose pipe bans, Grimsby councillors have opted for artificial flowers to add a splash of colour to the planters along the A180 flyover.
As forecasts predict more hot and dry weather in September, concerns have grown over the borough’s floral displays.
Cabinet member Cllr Bob Callison, renowned for his involvement with Cleethorpes In Bloom, collaborated with Leader Cllr Oliver Freeston and other councillors to enhance the flyover planters earlier this week.
Cllr Callison explained, "Of course, real displays would have been fantastic, but there was no way we wanted to add to water shortages and the cost of keeping more displays alive was simply not an option."
He added, "But we really wanted to do something that added a splash of colour to welcome drivers as they were coming into Grimsby and Cleethorpes – and these have done the trick."
The initiative highlights partnership working among councillors, as Cllr Callison noted, "This was real partnership working too, we all got together to do this."
Looking ahead, Cllr Callison expressed a desire to collaborate with different organisations and fellow councillors to further enhance the borough's aesthetics.
He said, "Brightening up the flyover is clearly just a very small thing and been done with a very small budget as a stop gap. But what it does show is that we can come up with ways of doing things if we work together."
Cllr Callison plans to contact various parties over the next few weeks to explore opportunities for improving the area, including alley clearance, to foster pride in the community.