‘A good deal to do’ on overgrown vegetation

Overgrown shrubbery blocking paths in Perth and Kinross is causing concern with council greenspace staff redeployed to other areas during the pandemic.

Recent warm and wet weather has led to the rapid growth of hedges and vegetation.

PKC told the PA that staff who would normally cut back shrubbery have been helping with the likes of emptying bins.

But council staff did recently cut back overgrown vegetation on Perth’s Western Edge.

Perth City South Liberal Democrat councillors Willie Wilson and Liz Barrett welcomed PKC staff taking the time to cut back shrubs, hedges, bushes and trees in Oakbank, Ruthven Park and Burghmuir.

Cllr Liz Barrett said: “We are delighted that management within the environment service have reacted to our pleas to take action where pathways were becoming blocked, or bushes could cause injury to passing pedestrians and cyclists.”

She added: “Many council staff have been working extremely hard to provide vital services during COVID times and it is hoped they’ll be able to return to their normal tasks soon.”

Cllr Wilson said while work was under way in the worst areas, more still needed to be done.

The Perth City South councillor said: “Work is in hand to clear overgrown hedges in the worst areas, such as in Glasgow Road, the pathway from Glasgow Road to Innerleithen Way, the play park at Coldstream Avenue, hedging in Lamberkine Drive and the pathway along the Scouring Burn.

“A good deal is still to be done, including verge cutting, to ensure paths are maintained safely.”

A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Our Community Greenspace team recently arranged to cut back overgrown vegetation affecting access to a number of paths on the Western Edge of Perth following contact from local councillors and other community members.

“Our operations staff - who in normal circumstances would have been in a position to carry out these works - have, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, been supporting essential services such as refuse collections.

“Elected members were advised in spring 2021 of the potential impact on all our non-essential services and information was also posted on our website.”

PKC has adopted an