OUTRAGED Winsford residents have slammed the borough council’s ‘cut and run’ policy of mowing green spaces at ‘Brands Hatch’ speeds.

After highlighting the state of Carrisbrook Drive common, The Guardian has been inundated with readers stating that untidy grass cuttings and divoted play areas aren’t just a one-off problem.

Clr Stephen Burns has approached Cheshire West and Chester Council citing numerous cases and said he could have done a better job with his own ‘pathetic little garden lawnmower’.

“I am getting complaints from all over the ward regarding the policy of cut and run grass cutting,” said clr Burns.

“Areas on Weaver Vale Housing Trust and town council land are cut neatly and the grass cuttings are removed.

“Unfortunately, any CWAC land is done with this cut and run method, which once completed is causing problems.

“Most of the residents who complain are often people who have lived in Winsford a long time and are deeply disappointed that such a lack of respect and care is being taken in their environment.”

Common problems include loose grass cuttings blowing over roads, pavements and nearby gardens, and divots being created by mowers driving too fast – leaving areas unsuitable for playing on.

Town councillor, Ailsa Gaskill-Jones added: “This is an issue not isolated to Carisbrook Drive.

“The grass was cut at Minster Close in the middle of last week again in a Brands Hatch style – at speed and with very little care or attention.

“The grass is poorly cut with great tranches missed. That which is cut is done unevenly, with the resulting long grass cuttings now fermenting in piles across the area.

“This only serves to exacerbate the on-going problem of the grass not being cut frequently enough, which means there are times when the grass is too long for young children to play in due to the rubbish hidden within the grass.

A council spokesman said: A ‘cut and drop’ grass cutting regime has operated for many years in Winsford and across the borough and normally does not create any real problems.

“Unfortunately, due to operational issues and weather conditions, we have fallen behind in cutting the grass, which has caused some quality problems. This is being dealt with and we should be back on schedule soon.

“A ‘cut and collect’ contract is a considerably more expensive operation and, on balance, under normal circumstances, the difference is not significant’.