FLOWER beds across North East Lincolnshire continue to be replaced with gravel and shrubs as part of council cost-cutting.
There was anger when the flower beds along Cleethorpes' seafront, which have helped the resort scoop countless awards, were first replaced in January.
And similar work has since been completed at Isaac's Hill and Waltham Road roundabout, in Scartho.
North East Lincolnshire Council maintains the changes are necessary to help shave £1 million of the grounds' maintenance budget.
Tollbar roundabout and Cleethorpes Country Park are the latest areas to be targeted – with council workers removing flowers and shrubs in favour of grass and gravel.
One Scartho resident, who did not wish to be named, questioned why work at Tollbar had commenced over the bank holiday weekend.
She said: "This roundabout was just coming into its prime with all the crocuses starting to flower to herald the start of spring.
"The turf has been removed, along with all the flowers – it's criminal.
"The council is supposed to be cash-strapped and yet bank holidays usually warrant extra pay!
"Why, if this really had to be done, could it not have waited until all the spring bulbs had finished flowering and then be done in normal working time?
"The plot is lost!"
However, a resident of Cleethorpes Country Park, who also did not wish to be named, said: "I actually think the beds look better now.
"The shrubs were overgrown and blocked the view when you were pulling out at junctions before, so the grass is much neater and safer."
A spokesman for North East Lincolnshire Council said work on Love Lane roundabout and Laceby bypass, near Morrisons, will be carried out in the autumn.
As agreed in the council's 2011 budget cut, £370,000 has to be saved from the grounds maintenance pot during the 2013/14 financial year. The bed replacement will contribute to that, saving £18-£20,00 a year.
