NEW trees and benches have now been installed in Northallerton town centre as part of the ongoing multi-millon pound overhaul of the high street.
And while many visitors and residents have welcomed them, some have taken to social media to question whether the money could have been better spent on facilities such as public toilets.
One Facebook user described the trees as 'pointless', while another said that more public toilets and better-disabled facilities and baby changing units were a more pressing need for the town.
However, the majority of people seemed to welcome the additions saying they make the town centre more attractive and that 'people should stop moaning and be grateful' for the improvements.
A Hambleton District Council spokesperson said: “It’s great to hear people are enjoying the new look High Street and think that the trees particularly look good.
"In terms of concerns about the cost of the trees in the current economic climate, the Northallerton High Street improvement scheme has largely been funded by the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, the Government’s Future High Streets Fund and Hambleton District Council.
"This funding was allocated approximately two-years-ago.
“The objective of the scheme was to create a high quality public space for people to enjoy and to support the development of the local high street economy."
The trees and planters are part of the ongoing revamp of the town centre which also includes the creation of a new town square in front of the town hall to provide a larger events space and the refurbishment of Zetland Street.
Last month it was revealed that the cost of the £3.8m scheme has increased by around £700,000, with a council report stating that 'unforeseen issues' have been encountered by the contractors.
Some of these are related to the underground services such as electricity cables.
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