A planter that was installed as part of a controversial road overhaul plan in a bid to improve the area but was later damaged when a vehicle hit it is finally due to be repaired – as a councillor complained it is making that part of town look “shabby”.

Oxford Road was narrowed as part of the town centre masterplan, which aimed to “transform” the town and help improve congestion, and planters were installed down the middle of the road to make it look more attractive.

However, one of the planters was damaged when it was hit by a vehicle – leaving gravel and dirt strewn across the pavement and the broken wooden slats tossed inside the plant pot.

The damage has still not been repaired months later – prompting Cllr Julia Langley to criticise the lack of action.

At a cabinet meeting at Wycombe District Council last week, she said: “There has been damage there and some of the planting has died and this was going to be looked at.

“I hope it will be looked at soon because it’s a shame that somewhere that was looking nice is now looking shabby because of that.”

Cllr Alan Turner, vice chairman of the planning committee, said the matter is currently being looked at.

He said: “We all share the frustration with what’s happened there. It is being looked into and there’s an awful lot of work going on with officers looking at alternative options, shall we say.

“It is being looked at with some urgency. It is a good example of where we can learn from – not mistakes, but how they can be done better in future.”