Council Grass Cutting / Grounds Maintenance
Discussion
Always like to start the week off with a rant, however, this has been grinding my gears for a month or so now, so following a strongly worded email to the council with the only response being an auto reply - I thought I would turn to PH as usual.
I'm sure I'm rapidly turning into Victor Meldrew.
Todays rant is regarding the council grass cutting around the area I live, I wont name the location but its just off the River Mersey and is synonymous with the Beatles.
During the usual annual foliage growth spurt around late April, I noticed a lot of the public / grassed areas / verges were beginning to look a little unkempt.
Expecting them to be addressed in the coming weeks I carried on about my daily life.
Fast forward a few months, instead of performing grounds maintenance - signs have popped up on some of the unkempt areas stating that the council aren't cutting the grass as often due to the "net carbon zero goal 2030" - some of these signs are now rapidly disappearing in the undergrowth.
Now, I'm all for net zero - don't get me wrong, it sounds like a land of milk and honey if its even possible, however, my gripe with this is down to safety for the motorist and the pedestrian.
Perhaps if they stopped selling green spaces to developers it would assist with the goal.
I first became aware of the lack of maintenance as I was finding I was being restricted in terms of view when driving - at junctions, approaching roundabouts - the clear view I previously had was no longer there
Our local pathways / pavements have also narrowed in width due to overgrowth, sometimes meaning foot traffic needs to move out onto the road to avoid the obstructions.
I cant but help think this is more down to cost savings more than the net zero agenda - I suppose both go hand in hand.
Perhaps if we start seeing more incidents, we can implement a 20mph limit everywhere.
Apologies for the rant - I do feel a little better now though.
I'm sure I'm rapidly turning into Victor Meldrew.
Todays rant is regarding the council grass cutting around the area I live, I wont name the location but its just off the River Mersey and is synonymous with the Beatles.
During the usual annual foliage growth spurt around late April, I noticed a lot of the public / grassed areas / verges were beginning to look a little unkempt.
Expecting them to be addressed in the coming weeks I carried on about my daily life.
Fast forward a few months, instead of performing grounds maintenance - signs have popped up on some of the unkempt areas stating that the council aren't cutting the grass as often due to the "net carbon zero goal 2030" - some of these signs are now rapidly disappearing in the undergrowth.
Now, I'm all for net zero - don't get me wrong, it sounds like a land of milk and honey if its even possible, however, my gripe with this is down to safety for the motorist and the pedestrian.
Perhaps if they stopped selling green spaces to developers it would assist with the goal.
I first became aware of the lack of maintenance as I was finding I was being restricted in terms of view when driving - at junctions, approaching roundabouts - the clear view I previously had was no longer there
Our local pathways / pavements have also narrowed in width due to overgrowth, sometimes meaning foot traffic needs to move out onto the road to avoid the obstructions.
I cant but help think this is more down to cost savings more than the net zero agenda - I suppose both go hand in hand.
Perhaps if we start seeing more incidents, we can implement a 20mph limit everywhere.
Apologies for the rant - I do feel a little better now though.
Edited by AlexGSi2000 on Monday 1st July 09:23
Edited by AlexGSi2000 on Monday 1st July 09:23
It's called wild-verging. It's more to do with biodiversity than net zero although the two do overlap.
There's a worryingly decline in biodiversity that is impacting on our natural capital (agriculture, water, flood defences, etc.) This is partly down to large-scale developments that have displaced biodiversity and not replaced it. This is being addressed through legislation but wild-verging is an experiment to see if a period of allowing verges and other areas to grow naturally has any positive impact. Early signs are that it does.
Allowing vegetation to grow encourages more pollinating insects and other critters to flourish and this increases biodiversity.
It has to be properly managed - maintaining sight lines and the like. And local residents should be informed as to the purpose and given the opportunity to mow the verge outside their house if they wish. The amount of money saved is small and that saving is normally spent on improving other aspects of local infrastructure.
When done well, it can look lovely. I've been working with a County Council on a pilot project where they've planted wildflower seeds along a road and it looks stunning. There's one road of about 60 houses where three residents have chosen to mow the bit outside their house and to be frank, it's made them look like prize twonks.
There's a worryingly decline in biodiversity that is impacting on our natural capital (agriculture, water, flood defences, etc.) This is partly down to large-scale developments that have displaced biodiversity and not replaced it. This is being addressed through legislation but wild-verging is an experiment to see if a period of allowing verges and other areas to grow naturally has any positive impact. Early signs are that it does.
Allowing vegetation to grow encourages more pollinating insects and other critters to flourish and this increases biodiversity.
It has to be properly managed - maintaining sight lines and the like. And local residents should be informed as to the purpose and given the opportunity to mow the verge outside their house if they wish. The amount of money saved is small and that saving is normally spent on improving other aspects of local infrastructure.
When done well, it can look lovely. I've been working with a County Council on a pilot project where they've planted wildflower seeds along a road and it looks stunning. There's one road of about 60 houses where three residents have chosen to mow the bit outside their house and to be frank, it's made them look like prize twonks.
We have the signs as well, but they have disappeared into the growth now. We have park areas where kids play football now totally unusable
In the 90s an excellent cycle track was installed between here and next village, it’s a bendy NSL road so a no no with kids
Around 15 years ago it was 3 meters or so wide, could cycle with a family comfortably
As the years went on it became narrower and narrower, most of it it’s about 30cm wide, when you get so far it becomes impassable, so onto the road
Different pots of money I know, but the same council will give you a rainbow lanyard at the village fete and make the crossing multi coloured as well as pushing out glossy leaflets about their special awareness weeks etc
Local play park still has the swings missing from then the travelling folk were here before covid
In the 90s an excellent cycle track was installed between here and next village, it’s a bendy NSL road so a no no with kids
Around 15 years ago it was 3 meters or so wide, could cycle with a family comfortably
As the years went on it became narrower and narrower, most of it it’s about 30cm wide, when you get so far it becomes impassable, so onto the road
Different pots of money I know, but the same council will give you a rainbow lanyard at the village fete and make the crossing multi coloured as well as pushing out glossy leaflets about their special awareness weeks etc
Local play park still has the swings missing from then the travelling folk were here before covid
StevieBee said:
It's called wild-verging. It's more to do with biodiversity than net zero although the two do overlap.
There's a worryingly decline in biodiversity that is impacting on our natural capital (agriculture, water, flood defences, etc.) This is partly down to large-scale developments that have displaced biodiversity and not replaced it. This is being addressed through legislation but wild-verging is an experiment to see if a period of allowing verges and other areas to grow naturally has any positive impact. Early signs are that it does.
Allowing vegetation to grow encourages more pollinating insects and other critters to flourish and this increases biodiversity.
It has to be properly managed - maintaining sight lines and the like. And local residents should be informed as to the purpose and given the opportunity to mow the verge outside their house if they wish. The amount of money saved is small and that saving is normally spent on improving other aspects of local infrastructure.
When done well, it can look lovely. I've been working with a County Council on a pilot project where they've planted wildflower seeds along a road and it looks stunning. There's one road of about 60 houses where three residents have chosen to mow the bit outside their house and to be frank, it's made them look like prize twonks.
I totally agree with it looks lovely when done well - however in the cases I have seen locally, its mostly weeds / nettles left to grow unwieldy.There's a worryingly decline in biodiversity that is impacting on our natural capital (agriculture, water, flood defences, etc.) This is partly down to large-scale developments that have displaced biodiversity and not replaced it. This is being addressed through legislation but wild-verging is an experiment to see if a period of allowing verges and other areas to grow naturally has any positive impact. Early signs are that it does.
Allowing vegetation to grow encourages more pollinating insects and other critters to flourish and this increases biodiversity.
It has to be properly managed - maintaining sight lines and the like. And local residents should be informed as to the purpose and given the opportunity to mow the verge outside their house if they wish. The amount of money saved is small and that saving is normally spent on improving other aspects of local infrastructure.
When done well, it can look lovely. I've been working with a County Council on a pilot project where they've planted wildflower seeds along a road and it looks stunning. There's one road of about 60 houses where three residents have chosen to mow the bit outside their house and to be frank, it's made them look like prize twonks.
Granted there are a few areas that are properly managed with wildflowers that look great.
My gripe is with the areas not managed at all - which are now causing obstructions.
Bio diversity.... its all about the £.
Simple as.
The exact same goes for getting rid of council gyms and pools.
Roads falling to bits.
They are spending so much money on other things that its not funny. My local authority spent tens of millions on "adult education for those on low incomes" as a result of reducing our bin collections from every 2 weeks to every 3. That was literally the reason in the letter that came to notify us.
Once they could not hide their con any longer they instead said it was now being done for environmental reasons and to protect turtles or something.
Its all BS. Its better to just ignore it all.
Simple as.
The exact same goes for getting rid of council gyms and pools.
Roads falling to bits.
They are spending so much money on other things that its not funny. My local authority spent tens of millions on "adult education for those on low incomes" as a result of reducing our bin collections from every 2 weeks to every 3. That was literally the reason in the letter that came to notify us.
Once they could not hide their con any longer they instead said it was now being done for environmental reasons and to protect turtles or something.
Its all BS. Its better to just ignore it all.
We take matters into our own hands here as we have those areas where you have your lawn, pavement, grass then road. Everyone cuts their grass bit as the council can’t be bothered.
I’m all for wild flower areas but if you don’t plant wild flowers you are just growing grass 3ft tall grass
I’m all for wild flower areas but if you don’t plant wild flowers you are just growing grass 3ft tall grass
Spare tyre said:
We have the signs as well, but they have disappeared into the growth now. We have park areas where kids play football now totally unusable
In the 90s an excellent cycle track was installed between here and next village, it’s a bendy NSL road so a no no with kids
Around 15 years ago it was 3 meters or so wide, could cycle with a family comfortably
As the years went on it became narrower and narrower, most of it it’s about 30cm wide, when you get so far it becomes impassable, so onto the road
Different pots of money I know, but the same council will give you a rainbow lanyard at the village fete and make the crossing multi coloured as well as pushing out glossy leaflets about their special awareness weeks etc
Local play park still has the swings missing from then the travelling folk were here before covid
There's a stretch of pavement here, alongside a NSL road which is very similar. In fact OCC have just cleared it back but it took 3-4 guys (and equipment) nearly a week to do the ~1km of pavement. It's amazing how much neater the road looks and means folk can walk / cycle / run a lot easier on it. I had a look on google streetview and it looks like the last time it was maintained was around 2008...In the 90s an excellent cycle track was installed between here and next village, it’s a bendy NSL road so a no no with kids
Around 15 years ago it was 3 meters or so wide, could cycle with a family comfortably
As the years went on it became narrower and narrower, most of it it’s about 30cm wide, when you get so far it becomes impassable, so onto the road
Different pots of money I know, but the same council will give you a rainbow lanyard at the village fete and make the crossing multi coloured as well as pushing out glossy leaflets about their special awareness weeks etc
Local play park still has the swings missing from then the travelling folk were here before covid
the verges around me now have three foot tall grass and weeds.
Council also seems to be 're wilding' our road too, allowing broken/cracked and potholed asphalt to remain unfixed and it now more resembles a dirt track in places with weeds growing up though the deeper cracks and holes. Several fill with water and make nice little ponds now too.
Council also seems to be 're wilding' our road too, allowing broken/cracked and potholed asphalt to remain unfixed and it now more resembles a dirt track in places with weeds growing up though the deeper cracks and holes. Several fill with water and make nice little ponds now too.
gotoPzero said:
Bio diversity.... its all about the £.
Simple as.
Exactly this, it looks a fSimple as.
king mess.I drive through Cobham and Oxshott a lot, funny how the private estates here don't subscribe to this scheme and their lawns always look immaculate.
There is a rental house in our street which seems to have the same attitude and gone for the "meadow" look. I suspect it's just laziness on their part "because rental" and it really looks awful.
These areas don't suddenly just turn into a meadow, they are just full of weeds and brambles.
gotoPzero said:
Bio diversity.... its all about the £.
Simple as.
The exact same goes for getting rid of council gyms and pools.
Roads falling to bits.
They are spending so much money on other things that its not funny. My local authority spent tens of millions on "adult education for those on low incomes" as a result of reducing our bin collections from every 2 weeks to every 3. That was literally the reason in the letter that came to notify us.
Once they could not hide their con any longer they instead said it was now being done for environmental reasons and to protect turtles or something.
Its all BS. Its better to just ignore it all.
We goto the excellent milestones museum in Basingstoke from time to time, nice place for my kids to mooch aboutSimple as.
The exact same goes for getting rid of council gyms and pools.
Roads falling to bits.
They are spending so much money on other things that its not funny. My local authority spent tens of millions on "adult education for those on low incomes" as a result of reducing our bin collections from every 2 weeks to every 3. That was literally the reason in the letter that came to notify us.
Once they could not hide their con any longer they instead said it was now being done for environmental reasons and to protect turtles or something.
Its all BS. Its better to just ignore it all.
We went in the half term, I forget the cost, it’s not life changing, but the average family man thinks about it…
Get there and it’s feeding time at the zoo experience
I ask a member of staff what’s going on and they explain, free day out for people without qualifications
“This event is free for families with children aged 5 and over who have not previously attended a Multiply family event and where at least one adult in the party does NOT have a Level 2 Maths qualification (e.g. Maths GCSE at grade 4/C and above, or a Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths).”
I’m glad I’d worked hard all week to pay tax etc, to afford to go.
I get the idea, but why are the basics not done before this
Spare tyre said:
We goto the excellent milestones museum in Basingstoke from time to time, nice place for my kids to mooch about
We went in the half term, I forget the cost, it’s not life changing, but the average family man thinks about it…
Get there and it’s feeding time at the zoo experience
I ask a member of staff what’s going on and they explain, free day out for people without qualifications
“This event is free for families with children aged 5 and over who have not previously attended a Multiply family event and where at least one adult in the party does NOT have a Level 2 Maths qualification (e.g. Maths GCSE at grade 4/C and above, or a Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths).”
I’m glad I’d worked hard all week to pay tax etc, to afford to go.
I get the idea, but why are the basics not done before this
This is the problem with the way council funding works. They are not just given a budget and allowed to spend how they see fit. Everything is in ringfenced pots or grants, the Multiply project is a central government thing which councils have to then apply to get money out separately. Same with things like play parks, speed bumps, statues and the like.We went in the half term, I forget the cost, it’s not life changing, but the average family man thinks about it…
Get there and it’s feeding time at the zoo experience
I ask a member of staff what’s going on and they explain, free day out for people without qualifications
“This event is free for families with children aged 5 and over who have not previously attended a Multiply family event and where at least one adult in the party does NOT have a Level 2 Maths qualification (e.g. Maths GCSE at grade 4/C and above, or a Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths).”
I’m glad I’d worked hard all week to pay tax etc, to afford to go.
I get the idea, but why are the basics not done before this
gotoPzero said:
Its all BS. Its better to just ignore it all.
This ^ . People bleating on about the fraud that is net zero and "wild flower bio-diversity". No. Stop it. It's just about the money and all the verges and signage simply disappears in the nettles and brambles with the long grass now being ideal for all the local dog-owning residents to take Rover for his twice-a-day crap and not have to bother picking it up because the grass is tall enough to hide it.Indeed, Parish Council used to keep lots of the street furniture clean, that all stopped with the covid, cost of living crisis, etc. The local bus shelter was covered in green algae upon which someone thoughtfully decided to draw several meat and 2 veg pics.
I gave that a clean as I had a few minutes spare..
I gave that a clean as I had a few minutes spare..
I have never understood why our towns, verges, schools, etc all look like golf courses.
Save a wedge of money, allow nature to take over and reap a win from a nature and climate change point of view (and not just carbon, it is a lot cooler, less wind, less flooding etc).
It is a win win for me.
What I would say is that our local council have taken a couple of years to wake up to a few junctions needing to be trimmed still for safety, but narrower sight lines = slow down. All sits with the really good 20mph stuff coming in.
Save a wedge of money, allow nature to take over and reap a win from a nature and climate change point of view (and not just carbon, it is a lot cooler, less wind, less flooding etc).
It is a win win for me.
What I would say is that our local council have taken a couple of years to wake up to a few junctions needing to be trimmed still for safety, but narrower sight lines = slow down. All sits with the really good 20mph stuff coming in.
gotoPzero said:
Bio diversity.... its all about the £.
Absolutely it's about the £According to the World Economic Forum, it’s estimated that over half of global GDP is dependent on nature with $44 trillion potentially threatened by nature loss.
Intensive agriculture is rapidly decreasing the soil's ability to deliver nutrient to plants and the exponential decreasing of biodiversity is impacting vital food chains and pollination levels of critical crops. Removal of biodiversity is leading to excessive flooding and lack of access to green space is now recognised as a contributor to declining levels of mental wellbeing, which impacts on productivity.
It's called natural capital because there is a direct correlation between biodiversity and the economy.
So yes, it's all about the money because ultimately, the option would be you paying significantly more for the same things and services.
We also have a pavement with a grass strip between that and the road. Between us we keep the whole street mowed because we know the council only come once or twice per year. Then when they do turn up they have nothing to do, so the mower stays on the trailer and one bloke wanders round with a strimmer looking for the odd bit of grass we've missed and his mate follows him with a leaf blower and then blows anything that has been strimmed into the road.
My council taxes are paying for a bloke to use a petrol powered leaf blower to blow green waste into the middle of the road and then bugger off...
My council taxes are paying for a bloke to use a petrol powered leaf blower to blow green waste into the middle of the road and then bugger off...
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