State of the grass verges 'an embarrassment'
Thursday, 2nd August 2001.
A REGULAR user of Haverhill's by-pass has expressed her horror at the state of grass verges.
Linda Colwill of The Green, Stoke by Clare, says she feels ashamed for the people of the town.
"It seems to me that Suffolk County Council spend most of their money improving Bury St Edmunds and what is left over on Haverhill.
"I am sure that the many businesses in Haverhill who have visiting clients feel that the appearance of the access roads is an embarrassment.
"Surely with all the new development for housing and all the industry and business in Haverhill some money could be spent trimming the grass verges of the bypass?
"The young trees that have just been thrown in are struggling to stay alive amongst all the tangle of weeds and grass.
"Something should be done to smarten up Haverhill not only for the sake of the people passing through but for the self esteem of the local people who live there. Maybe if the town looked smarter it would discourage the dumping and burning of cars," Mrs Colwill said.
Ian Brewster, Highways Engineer for St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said the council maintained the verges on an agency basis for Suffolk County Council.
He said the borough council was only authorised to make two cuts a year to the verges and a metre wide strip round the roundabouts.
"We usually cut them in the beginning of June and again in August, so at this time of year, particularly with the weather conditions, they can look unkempt. But this is all we are contracted to do by the county," he said.
"To do any more would require an investment of funds from the borough and we just don't have those resources available at the moment."
Haverhill Enterprise 2000 is working on a scheme to improve the first bypass roundabout approaching the town from Cambridge and Mr Brewster said it was hoped similar work would follow on other roundabouts.
Linda Colwill of The Green, Stoke by Clare, says she feels ashamed for the people of the town.
"It seems to me that Suffolk County Council spend most of their money improving Bury St Edmunds and what is left over on Haverhill.
"I am sure that the many businesses in Haverhill who have visiting clients feel that the appearance of the access roads is an embarrassment.
"Surely with all the new development for housing and all the industry and business in Haverhill some money could be spent trimming the grass verges of the bypass?
"The young trees that have just been thrown in are struggling to stay alive amongst all the tangle of weeds and grass.
"Something should be done to smarten up Haverhill not only for the sake of the people passing through but for the self esteem of the local people who live there. Maybe if the town looked smarter it would discourage the dumping and burning of cars," Mrs Colwill said.
Ian Brewster, Highways Engineer for St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said the council maintained the verges on an agency basis for Suffolk County Council.
He said the borough council was only authorised to make two cuts a year to the verges and a metre wide strip round the roundabouts.
"We usually cut them in the beginning of June and again in August, so at this time of year, particularly with the weather conditions, they can look unkempt. But this is all we are contracted to do by the county," he said.
"To do any more would require an investment of funds from the borough and we just don't have those resources available at the moment."
Haverhill Enterprise 2000 is working on a scheme to improve the first bypass roundabout approaching the town from Cambridge and Mr Brewster said it was hoped similar work would follow on other roundabouts.
Comment on this story
[board listing] [login] [register]
You must be logged in to post messages. (login now)