A new approach to grass cutting on the borough’s roads is in its early days, according to the council.
Residents have been expressing their concerns over the new policy, which has seen grass verges partially mowed leaving a distinctly two-tone approach – short at the edges and large overgrown areas next to it.
This approach, the borough council said, was borne out of a consultation and ensures that grass cutting can be where needed, when needed.
However, it has received a mixed reaction. We’ve been collecting some of the responses and welcome your pictures to highlight areas that need attention.
One user on StreetLife said that the policy creates a problem for dog owners wishing to clean up after their pet, creating “a Health and Safety issue as long grass stops picking up after dogs and leaves mess – if children wander into the area this becomes a major issue”.
Twitter user @FionaLegal said: “This mess is Wokingham BC’s idea of ‘grass cutting’ – and they say its staying like this ALL summer long”, while @climieo added: “It looks hideous!”
Another poster on Facebook said that the area near Shepherds Hill looked “a bloody mess” while another noted that the new grass height meant that when walking their dog “in most places I can only see his tail the grass is that long”.
Not everyone is against the idea. Other users have praised the policy. One commented: “I like the way the grass is being cut at the moment”.
Defending the changes, Cllr Angus Ross, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for environment, said: “Our new grounds maintenance contractor ISS, is targeting grass cutting in areas of most importance to our residents.
“It will also maintain the grassland and wildflower meadows that have proved popular at Cantley Park in Wokingham, Ashenbury Park in Woodley, and on the Woosehill Spine Road.
“It’s important to remember the contract has been designed with input from a public consultation held in 2014, when residents told us they would welcome a more flexible grass cutting service that targeted priority areas at priority times.
“On large verges by the roads we will ensure grass doesn’t encroach onto pathways, roads or obstruct sight lines. Areas in our large parks will have increased areas of grassland with wide mown footpaths through them, similar to Cantley Park and Ashenbury Park last year.
“Our new approach is in its early days, and we are constantly reviewing and managing how our partnership with ISS is performing.”
To leave feedback on the new scheme, visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/parks-and-countryside
For more on the issue, make sure you pick up this week’s Wokingham Paper, on sale in all good newsagents, supermarkets and petrol stations for just 50p.
You can be a supergrass! Send us your pictures by emailing news@wokinghampaper.co.uk or post them to our Facebook page.
