Long grass making city look like 'disaster zone'

TORY COUNCILLORS LAMBAST POLICY FOR SPOILING CITY

- WILLIAM TELFORD

PLYMOUTH has been accused of looking like an "apocalyptic disaster zone" covered in "Triffids" because grass has been allowed to grow wild in public spaces. Tory councillors want a complete rethink on the council's policy and said it is making the city look "unkempt" and providing a bad image for tourists.

They said areas around North Cross, Derry's Cross and Union Street are a particular problem. Cllr Lee Finn, Tory councillor for Budshead, said the council hadn't even carried out a risk assessment on how the public would be affected by letting vast areas of grass grow wild.

He said it could cause problems for people with allergies and autoimmune disease, attract vermin and rubbish, and pose hazards for children and motorists. He now wants the public and businesses to be consulted about the policy.

The council said the policy, started in 2021, means 40% of grassy areas are only managed, and not cut regularly. It stressed this was to help "nature" and said warm and wet weather this year had caused the grass to grow more than expected.

Cllr Finn said: "It looks like a disaster zone, an apocalyptic city.

There is also an economic cost. Will people visit the city and see that the Triffids have taken over? "We are trying to encourage cruise ships and tourists, but they (the council) are not prepared to invest in basic maintenance to make it an enjoyable place for visitors to want to frequent.