Grass is 'out of control' in village
Grass has been allowed to grow 'out of control' in a village, according to a councillor, who has branded the lack of maintenance a 'disgrace'.
Councillor David Clifft says the grass in some parts of Essington, South Staffordshire, has not been cut all year, which he says is preventing children from playing outside and creating an eyesore.
Councillor Clifft said: "In some parts of Essington we have got grass that's 18 inches long, which obviously causes problems for the children wanting to play out in the sun, and just the verges in general look unkempt.
"It's out of control."
He added: "In previous years the council have always told me it's because the seasons have changed but they use that argument every year and it's not good enough.
"A lot of residents are picking up on it because they go out and about to other areas and it looks a lot better.
"I've had complaints from about 50 people regarding the grass."
Residents have rallied on Facebook to discuss the issue, with some saying the problem is spread across the whole of South Staffordshire.
People living in Featherstone, Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay are among those who say their areas have become overgrown.
Julie Jones wrote on the social networking website: "The grass verge outside our house is terrible, the only reason our side is ok is because my hubby has been doing it!!!! This has been going on for sometime now, when we first moved here over 12years ago, they were always doing the fronts."
Jackie French added: "Featherstone is a disgrace ! I live there too."
Councillor Clifft, who sits on Essington Parish Council and the district council, said he had written to council officers calling for the grass across his village to be cut.
But he added: "When it is cut it doesn't make the grade.
"They don't cut it anywhere as good as it should be cut."
Councillor Mary Bond, South Staffordshire Council's cabinet member for environmental services, said: "Our contractors have changed the grass cutting routes, which unfortunately has meant a slight delay to cutting as they adjust to the changes.
"We are confident that cutting will return to the usual 10-day cycle from Monday, and I am personally going out across the district this week to ensure good progress has been made."
