Temporary new wooden seating and planters filled with greenery have appeared across Kingston town centre.

The "pocket parks" opened last weekend (21 August) after around a month of building work.

They can be found outside Kingston station, on Lower Fife Road near Bentalls and on Thames Street by the Bridge.

The planters and seating are part of the #socialstreets initiative by Kingston First, the town's business improvement district, and Kingston Council.

Kingston First said: "We worked with local landscape architect Davies White to design and build the new planters and seating, which will have a range of beautiful flowers and greenery.

"Recent research we carried out with both residents and businesses showed a strong desire for more green spaces in the town centre."

But the planters have been met with a mixed reaction on social media.

Commenting in the Kingston Neighbourhood group on a photo of the new planters outside the station, resident Jenny Nightingale wrote: "Makes such a difference. Looked so grim before."

Alison Whybrow said: "Great - and even more Greening of Kingston town centre would be brilliant."

But other residents in the group questioned whether the planters are a good use of resources.

Lynsey Downs pointed out that only a few years ago there were raised flowerbeds outside the station.

These were then torn down, leaving commuters without seating or a local green space.

"Now the Council are spending our money on planters again!" she fumed.

Another commenter, Clare Field, said: "They commissioned a landscape architect to design the temporary scheme.

"Why spend money like that on something temporary? I could understand if it was going to be permanent."

Clare questioned the location of the planters, stating: "in the nice weather the benches next to Wilko are normally full and at least you're not sat in such a busy area, would more seating there have been better?"

What are your thoughts on the new planters? Is there a perspective here we've missed? Get in touch: [email protected]