Grass cutting service slashed to save cash in Dudley prompting concerns over unkept verges and parkland
Cash-strapped Dudley Council has slashed its budget on grass cutting services by £50,000 as it faces a raft of savings.
The move has come in for criticism from opposition councillors who said it would leave areas untidy.
Council bosses say the authority is facing 'unprecedented times' due to national funding cuts from the government.
The cuts to grass cutting services will mean grass in public spaces will be cut less frequently throughout the year.
But UKIP councillor Paul Brothwood, for Wordsley, said: "I think the green care team have had enough cuts.
"We can't sustain this system anymore or there will be trees growing out of traffic lights.
"It has to recognised that there has been massive cuts from the Conservative government, but there has been excess waste from Dudley Council which is not sustainable.
"These cuts have been going on for a number of years, front line services are getting cut first.
"I'm getting complaints from residents regarding the maintenance of green spaces. Some green banks have not been cut for some time, while weeds are not getting sprayed as regularly."
Council bosses said government cuts have put 'massive pressure' on grounds maintenance teams and impacted the level of maintenance.
Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, said: "The council has procedures in place to manage and maintain green spaces across the borough.
"However, as we face unprecedented times with significantly reduced funding from national government, this adds massive pressure onto our grounds maintenance teams and has impacted on the level of maintenance we are able to carry out.
"Therefore, in a number of areas, where it is appropriate, we have had to reduce levels of maintenance.
"This includes a £50,000 saving for 2016/17 through a reduced grass cutting service.
"However, I would stress that wherever possible we will work hard to try to make sure the majority of open spaces are maintained to an appropriate level."
Another opposition councillor who has criticised the cuts is Councillor Michael Evans, of Sedgley.
He said the environment would be ignored in parts of his ward with reduced grass cutting. Also weed spraying for highway curbs, footpaths and shrub beds would be halved.
Councillor Evans said: "I think Dudley Council is cutting the budget far too much. We are going to have overgrown spaces and verges, which is not acceptable.
"Overgrown verges can make places look dilapidated.
"We want to be having a greener and smarter borough but what they are proposing is going to make places look untidy."
