Brewery steps in to tackle grass problem

A brewery has stepped in to cut an overgrown grass bank which is at the centre of a row between residents and Dudley Council.

Families in Coldstream Drive, Wordsley, were furious at a council decision not to mow steep banks in the borough for three years because of budget cutbacks.

They said the long grass was an eyesore and magnet for litter. But the council warned residents not to cut the grass themselves due to safety fears, saying they would not be insured.

Now Bathams Brewery, which runs the New Inn pub across the road from the controversial verge, says it will pay for a professional company to tackle the mess.

The brewery's owner, Matthew Batham, was contacted by Dudley South MP Chris Kelly who asked him to help.

The grass will only be cut once as the brewery does not want to take on responsibility for it long term. Mr Kelly is now looking for a local business to "sponsor" the verge and cut it regularly.

Matthew Batham said "Since we bought The New Inn in April 2008, it has received fantastic support from the neighbours, so we were keen to help out."

The grass will be cut "as soon as possible" by Barry Cartwright at Blades Lawn Care, who do work for Bathams' pubs across the Black Country. Cabinet member for transportation,

Councillor Angus Adams, said today: "As long as the people doing the work are properly licensed and get permission from the council, I haven't got a problem with it."

Although residents originally believed the council would not allow them to pay for a contractor themselves, Mr Adams has now said they could.

Derek Lees, who lives in nearby Ashdown Avenue, said: "We are very pleased and very grateful — it saves a 61-year-old like me having to struggle and cut it.

"This is still not a long-term solution to the problem, though, and we could be in the same boat again this time next year."