A meeting is to be arranged with officials from Transport NI and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive as the issue of grass cutting – or lack of – across the borough has angered councillors.
Grass verges have been growing wild and there has also been a lack of grass cutting in housing estates which have left many an absolute mess.
It was Lord Mayor Darryn Causby who raised the issue at a meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, saying he was “disappointed by the upkeep of some of the roundabouts and grass verges in the borough”.
DUP Councillor Margaret Tinsley said she also had concerns regarding the lack of grass cutting taking place. She said she had spoken to Roads Service who had advised that, due to budgetary pressure, they may only be able to facilitate one cut per year.
Councillor Tinsley said the grass in the borough was already looking unsightly and felt one cut would not be enough.
And she requested a meeting be held with DRD urgently to discuss the matter.
SF Councillor Brendan Curran said areas within housing estates were also in need of cutting.
UUP Alderman Arnold Hatch said that the roundabout outside Craigavon Area Hospital also needed attention. He said those who were sponsoring it needed to be contacted and asked to maintain it.
He went on to suggest that residents in housing estates could organise groups to tidy their own areas.
The SDLP’s Declan McAlinden said sightlines were becoming dangerous due to the lack of grass cutting.
And Independent Councillor David Jones said when the grass was cut the cuttings were not being lifted and, when the verges were cut, all the rubbish within them was being exposed and was not being collected either.
It was agreed to invite Housing Executive and Transport NI officials to come before the council to discuss the issues raised.
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