Cheshire West and Chester Council criticised for green space neglect

Concerns have been raised about the grass not being cut in parks and playing fields, making them unusable, and in some cases, potentially dangerous. 

Others have raised the issue of excessive weeds growing through pavements, in gutters, and along roadsides, leaving parts of towns looking like ‘something from a disaster movie'.

Across the towns, hedges have been reportedly 'neglected', which in some cases make walkways impassable, especially for mums with prams, the elderly, and those with mobility issues.

Residents have accused Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) of using No Mow May – a national scheme to boost vital pollinating insect numbers in spring – as an excuse for not maintaining green spaces.

Brian Murphy, from Winsford, believes scenes like this influence people's behaviour (Image: Brian Murphy)

The council denies this, claiming ‘the wettest spring since 1981’ has caused delays in areas where ‘heavy ride-on mowers’ are used, as well as 'increased growth in vegetation’ due to the peculiar weather.

It also says it has purposely returned 220 lawn areas to permanent ‘grassland habitats’, to help boost biodiversity in the borough.

Residents aren't best pleased, claiming they pay for usable green space, and have 'a right' to them. 

One Winnington resident, who asked not to be named, said: “No Mow May is being used as an excuse never to have to mow again.

The pavement on parts of Firdale Road, in Northwich, all but impassable (Image: Martin Hickling)

“The grass on Winnington Common is so long it’s become a health hazard: people can’t see where they’re putting their feet, which is dangerous; children can’t play games; families can’t have picnics; the elderly can’t even cross it on paths as they’re too overgrown.

“Even people who want to pick up their dog’s poo can’t do it.

“Later in the year, this is going to be a fire hazard.

“No one has the right to take away our right to enjoy the Common, or any green space which has been enjoyed for generations.”

This issue of weeds growing through pavements, in gutters, and along roadsides are also causing concern, with one resident claiming Winsford looks ‘post-apocalyptic’.

Brian Murphy said: “The town looks like a scene from a disaster movie where the government has fled.

Undergrown also traps litter, making it impossible for machines to pick up (Image: Brian Murphy)

"It actually feels abandoned. This doesn’t make you feel good about living here.

“It gives off the vibe people have given up on the place. It seems like the council actually has given up.

“I’m sure it influences people’s behaviour. If the place can’t look any worse because they pavements and bus stops are all overgrown with weeds, people don’t think twice about dropping one more piece of litter out of their car window.

“Then when the mowers do come, they don’t even pick up the litter first. They’re turning 100 pieces of litter into 10,000 by mincing them up.”

Residents of Gleave Road in Weaverham have taken matters into their own hands (Image: Marlon Lee)

Hedges left untended are also causing problems, which Martin Hickling, from Weaverham, says ‘forces young mothers with prams to walk in the road’.

There have also been reports of elderly people on mobility scooters being unable to use pavements without getting hit in the face by branches.

Martin added: “It feels like the council have neglected our estate.

“We’ve sent them several pictures of the problem hedges, but unfortunately, there has been no response.”

The council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, transport, and highways, Cllr Karen Shore, said: “This year’s maintenance programme was delayed due to prolonged wet weather in spring, which continued into summer.

'We brought pride back to our road, and to our community' (Image: Marlon Lee)

“According to the Met Office it is the wettest since 1981.

“Grass cutting started in April, but for the first three weeks, the teams were only able to cut where ground conditions allowed.

“The rise in temperature and extreme wet weather also resulted in an increased growth in vegetation, such as grass, hedges and weeds.

“Our teams are progressing well across the borough, and in most areas, are now on their fourth cycle of mowing.

“We’re aware follow-up work to cut the grass ride-on mowers cannot reach, like around street furniture, is needed. Our teams are working their way around as soon as possible.

“Not all hedges are owned by us, but we work with landowners where possible to arrange hedges to be cut for sight lines and path obstructions.

Road sign almost totally obscured by ivy (Image: Brian Murphy)

“Our hedges programme is carried out during the winter months in line with the Wildlife and Countryside Act, to allow for nesting birds during the summer months.

“In the meantime, enquiries will be reviewed, and if urgent action is required, this will be prioritised.”

Some communities are so fed up they’ve decided to take matters into their own hands.

Residents of Gleave Road, Weaverham, had a full day of outside maintenance which saw them grass cutting, weeding, and planting flower beds.

One resident, Marlon Lee, said: “Gleave Road got fed up with the terrible corners on their road, and the overgrown footpaths.

“It was a terrible mess.

“We came together as a community on our WhatsApp group to create a stunning display, and brought pride back to our road, and to our community.”

Cllr Shore added: “We accept some residents choose to play their part to help us by cutting grass verges outside their homes.”