Give grass cutting service to council

Give grass cutting service to council

31 August 2016

A LOCAL politician has said giving councils responsibility for cutting grass verges and killing weeds in housing areas should be given “serious consideration” by the Stormont Executive.

As concern continues about overgrown verges and out-of-control weeds at a number of roads and housing estates, councillor Billy Walker believes Newry, Mourne and Down Council would be able to get on top of the issue if provided with the necessary finance to do so.

He also believes that handing responsibility for grass verge maintenance to the local authority could allow the organisation to provide work for those currently unemployed and help equip them with new skills.

Councillor Walker said Newry, Mourne and Down Council staff are responsible for the picturesque entrances to towns and villages across the district and has no doubt the organisation could take on more responsibility for grass verge and weed control, if provided with the money.

“There have been major issues with the lack of grass verge cutting across Northern Ireland this summer with the problem particularly acute in our council area. Additional money was made available recently but there is so much work that still needs to be done,” he continued.

“We have a serious problem, but the fact verges have not been cut is not the fault of local roads officials. Those higher up the chain of command are directly responsible. Local politicians are getting it in the neck about overgrown hedges and weeds invading housing estates, but we are not responsible for these issues.”

Councillor Walker said while an additional £10m was made available recently by Department of Infrastructure Minister, Chris Hazzard, to tackle the grass verge and weeds issue, “there is still much work to be done.”

“Local councils have inherited a number of former Department of Environment car parks but have not received a single penny to help with their maintenance or running costs,” he declared. “If councils were given the opportunity to take on the role of maintaining verges and weed control in housing estates, backed by the necessary finance, I have no doubt it is a job they would do well.

“You only have to look at the stunning floral appearances to many towns and villages in our district — which is the work of our excellent grounds maintenance staff — to recognise that they could cope with more work, if supported with additional help and finances.

“I am aware of community groups in our area who have mobilised themselves to remove overgrown weeds from their respective housing estates and while commendable, they are already paying for this service through their rent and rates. While it is work they should not have to do, their community spirit is commendable.”