Councils lose plants to drought

Bewl Water Reservoir on the Kent/Sussex border is only 37% full

The continuing drought in the South East has led Southern Water to ask 11 Kent and Sussex councils to reconsider planting schemes for 2006.

Brighton council has cancelled 500 City in Bloom baskets and troughs. Two will remain at the town hall for weddings.

Crawley council has said it is taking the same action.

Reservoirs which would normally be more than 90% full in February are less than 40% full after more than a year of drought conditions in the region.

Rainfall for January in the South East was about 25% of the average level.

The letter from Southern Water went to Adur, Arun, Brighton, Chichester, Crawley, Hastings, Horsham, Lewes, Medway, Thanet and Worthing councils.

'Major drought'

Meyrick Gough, water planning and strategy manager, wrote: "In the light of the drought I want to take this opportunity to ask you to consider your planting schemes for 2006.

"For example, could you consider alternatives to bedding plants and hanging baskets that will require frequent watering?"

And he said Horsham District Council had already decided on a less water-dependent planting programme for the year.

Worthing council is already working with Southern Water to create a drought-beating garden on a seafront shingle bank to highlight the need to use water wisely.

We want to see councils taking a responsible attitude to horticulture, reducing water used on irrigating public displays Peter Holman, spokesman for South East in Bloom

The site opposite Marine Gardens, designed by a gardening expert, is to be made up of locally-sourced plants which need no water other than rain to survive.

The garden will also have information boards explaining why water-saving measures are necessary.

Southern Water has said the region is facing the worst drought in 100 years. The Environment Agency has said the South East is facing "a major drought".

Councils across the UK take part in Britain in Bloom, a campaign organised by the Royal Horticultural Society that encourages the improvement of areas with flowers and plants, each year.

'Good common sense'

Peter Holman, spokesman for South East in Bloom, said the campaign supported Southern Water's stance.

He said: "We want to see councils taking a responsible attitude to horticulture, reducing water used on irrigating public displays."

And he said it was possible to use different plant material, compost, and different ways of retaining water, in order not to cancel planting altogether.

"The difficulty is most are ordered and planned before Christmas. Growers have to be informed and in many cases they can't change the material overnight," he said.

"There are a number of ways to conserve water. Some councils are reducing containers so they are not seen to be disregarding good common sense - as are hopefully all the domestic customers," he added.