Kentish Express Ashford & District
They might just as well cover verge in concrete…
Complaints over ‘eyesore’ alleyway costs mum time and money
A mum has slammed the council for not maintaining the grass alleyway near her house and said reminder calls to officers are costing her a small fortune.
Margaret Pryke, 76, of Canterbury Road, South Willesborough, said she has to ring Ashford Borough Council (ABC) at least three times a year to ask them to cut back the overgrown area.
But she said the job is never done properly and the council need to sort it out once and for all.
Mrs Pryke said: “It’s an absolute mess out there – an utter eyesore.
“Why should I keep phoning up about it year after year?
“The council knows the problem is there but they do nothing about it unless I hassle them.
“People chuck their rubbish in the overgrowth – there’s always cans and litter in it.
“It takes me the whole morning to actually speak to someone at the council office, not to mention the cost of being on the phone for an hour.
“When I eventually do get through they are very apologetic, but it’s about time they just did something about it properly.
“Personally, I’d like to see it concreted over, but I don’t think they would do that because it would be too expensive.”
An ABC spokesperson said there are currently no plans to keep the verges in Canterbury Road as anything other than a green space.
She added: “Grass cutting on most council-owned open spaces takes place on 12 occasions per year. We welcome feedback from residents about services we provide and any issues or concerns
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk