Gardener Plants Flowers in Potholes to Highlight Road Conditions.
A landscape gardener in Horsham has been planting flowers in potholes to draw attention to the poor state of local roads.
Harry Smith-Haggett, the gardener behind the initiative, began this unusual project to address what he describes as the “hideous” condition of the town’s roads. His videos of the flower-filled potholes have garnered over two million views on TikTok.
West Sussex County Council (WSCC) has urged residents to avoid the roads due to safety concerns and announced that it is increasing efforts to address pothole repairs.
Smith-Haggett started this effort out of frustration with the ongoing road issues in Horsham. “There’s been a lot of complaints about the potholes in Horsham for years,” he said. “I wanted to bring a bit of joy, and it seems to be working.”
He noted that several potholes he had decorated with flowers have now been repaired. Smith-Haggett emphasized that his goal was to raise awareness about the potholes without causing danger or problems. He wears a customized pink hi-vis vest with “Pretty Pot Holes” on the back while working.
WSCC acknowledged the public’s frustration but cautioned that individuals risking their safety by going onto the roads. A council spokesperson stated, “We take road maintenance and repair very seriously and have increased our resources to address potholes and improve road conditions.”