Mount Street concrete slabs to be covered with planters and murals this autumn
A small but highly visible corner of Gloucester will be reshaped this autumn after months of conversation between residents, councillors and consultants about how best to deal with large concrete blocks installed to stop cars mounting the pavement.
The slabs, placed in October last year to prevent vehicle access and protect a grass verge, were criticised by locals and elected representatives as an "eyesore" when they remained in place. Some residents likened the painted green blocks to children's bricks, dubbing the area "Legoland" — an image that has now become part of the story behind the site’s makeover.
- What’s planned: bespoke planters fixed to the existing blocks filled with year-round flora.
- Art and nature: mural artworks inspired by local wildlife painted onto the planters by professional artists from the city.
- Timescale: the initial works are expected to be completed this autumn.
Gloucestershire County Council held an on-site meeting with Phoenix Consultants last month to kickstart the transformation, which has been described by local campaigners as a nature-inspired enhancement for the community. The multi-stage project begins with the attachment of large, bespoke planters to the concrete blocks; these will be planted to provide visual interest and ecological value.
"They look like Duplo bricks," said one resident at the time, summing up the frustration felt by many; another councillor called them a "total eyesore" and said she did not want them left indefinitely.
Local residents who helped spearhead the scheme say they are pleased the conversation has moved quickly to delivery. One campaigner who suggested the council contact JOLT — the city centre creative hub and business accelerator — is hopeful the approach will lead to more artistic commissions locally rather than hard landscaping.
"I said no don't do that, contact JOLT because they can help you to tender work from artists in the city," she said. "We're really excited. We think it will look great and hopefully there will be more projects like it."
The proposal emphasises seasonal planting intended to support wildlife, alongside murals that will enhance the natural aesthetic. Phoenix Consultants have described the later phases as creating a backdrop with additional mural artworks and other enhancements, though details of those further stages have not been finalised publicly.
| Element | Planned action |
|---|---|
| Concrete blocks | Remain in situ; planters fixed on top |
| Planting | Year-round flora to provide colour and wildlife benefits |
| Artworks | Murals on planters by local professional artists |
| Completion | Expected this autumn |
For residents in the surrounding streets, the project is small in scale but significant in tone. It reflects a shift away from purely functional streetscape fixes towards initiatives that try to combine practicality, community pride and biodiversity. Councillors have previously said they did not want the barriers left permanently in their unadorned state, and the new plan appears to meet that wish without reintroducing the parking problems the blocks were designed to prevent.
There are, however, a few practical questions for councillors and consultants to resolve as the scheme proceeds — including maintenance of planting and artwork, long-term responsibility for the planters, and how the site will fare through winter weather and trampling if it becomes a focal point. Local campaigners have urged the council to ensure clear plans are in place so the pocket park remains an asset rather than a short-lived flourish.
In many parts of Gloucester, small public realm projects are proving popular because they can be delivered relatively quickly and often involve local artists and volunteers. This Mount Street scheme will be watched closely as an example of how a tight budget and a creative approach can transform a once-derided corner of the city into something that contributes both to civic pride and to urban nature.
