14/03/22: New greenery for Swaffham town centre

Breckland Council has installed new planters in the centre of Swaffham to help brighten the town for residents and shoppers and create a barrier for air pollution. The cost of approximately £5,000 to purchase and install the planters was funded by Breckland Council's Market Towns Initiative scheme. The Market Towns Initiative aims to make improvements across the district's five market towns, by ring-fencing £150,000 for each town, and it has funded a diverse range of projects that reflect the unique natures of the towns.

The new Swaffham planters are located on Lynn Street, close to the junction with the A1065, and screen the pedestrianised area from the busy road.

The planters cover just over 10 metres of ground and are filled with green screens constructed of ivy, with space for colourful bedding plants to be added later. The maintenance of the planters will be funded by Swaffham Town Council.

Cllr Ian Sherwood, Breckland Council's Lead for Sustainability, said: "Making all our towns greener places is a priority for Breckland, and this greenery will help shield shoppers from air pollution, as well as making the area more attractive to look at - I was very pleased to show the Mayor of Swaffham the area's new look when we went along to the installation."