Dogs blamed as lampposts are ruled unsafe for hanging baskets

Council officials have banned hanging baskets from being hung from the cast-iron ornate posts in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, due to structural damage. They have suggested that the cause may be dogs urinating on them as they are taken on riverside walks by their owners.

Hanging baskets put up as part of Henley’s Britain in Bloom bid were removed from six lampposts last month after rust was found at the bases in a safety check by officials from Oxfordshire County Council. They cannot be put back until the lampposts have been replaced, which will not be in time for the visit by the Britain in Bloom judges later this month.



In a report to the town council, Henley’s county councillor David Nimmo Smith said: “A lamppost on the riverside, to which hanging baskets were attached, developed a list, brought about by rusting at the base. The county officers have suggested that the rusting is because this was a favoured stopping-off point for dogs, although I have no evidence to substantiate this.” Cllr Nimmo Smith said: “It is just not safe enough for the baskets to return.

“It is annoying that this has happened at this particular moment, with the Britain in Bloom judging coming up. It does look naked without the baskets there.” Town councillor Kellie Hinton, who chairs Henley in Bloom, said: “The replacements will not arrive in time for the Britain in Bloom judging, which is a shame but there is nothing we can do about it - health and safety comes first. I am sure dogs do their business along there - it’s a very popular area for walking dogs - but we can’t just blame them.” The hanging baskets will now be placed elsewhere.