Volunteers hit back after complaints
Strathaven in Bloom keeping up appearances
A green group have defended the look of their town after concerns were raised about one of their main areas.
Strathaven in Bloom have been left to count the cost this summer as they fill planters and aim to keep the town tidy – but have been angered after locals complained about the look of Alison Green.
A spokesperson for the group, who annually enter the Keep Scotland Beautiful event on behalf of the town, said: “There have been council cutbacks and the parks and leisure department have not escaped.
“We hope the residents of Strathaven understand that these cutbacks have affected the way the town looks.
“I have had a comment that some of the beds in the Allison Green were looking weedy and unloved.
“The more the cutbacks bite the more obvious the lack of attention will be – grass edges not done, weedy pavements, beds not planted up.
“However, SIB don’t have the resources, either people or money, to take up the slack created by the cutbacks.
“Strathaven in Bloom are doing the best we can and I expect the parks and leisure department are doing the best they can in reduced circumstances.”
South Lanarkshire Council’s head of facilities, waste and grounds services, Alistair McKinnon, said there had not been cuts to funding for Strathaven’s flower beds but they were aware of the group’s issues.
“There has been no reduction in maintenance work on Alison Green although we were aware of some issues requiring attention and these were addressed last week.
“It is correct that the flower bed in question did not receive summer bedding as it has in previous years.
“However, it has been planted with the more sustainable option of wildflower which has been well received across the authority in recent years.”