Why I’ll be campaigning against de-vegetation

There have been a couple of letters to the Chronicle in the last month on the issue of the council proposing to rip out what remaining vegetation there is in some defunct flower beds in Hoyland town centre – and replacing them with artificial grass.

I agree with the letter writers that this would be a travesty at a time of needing to a) reduce plastics, b) combat climate change, c) reverse biodiversity loss and d) increase well-being for local people.

I also think it is true of the horrendous artificial grass in Barnsley town centre’s new plaza.

Until April, I was the council’s wildlife advisor. One of the issues I was ‘consulted’ on by colleagues was whether to remove trees, shrubs and other existing vegetation from the roundabout at the end of the Cudworth bypass near West Green.

I strongly advised against it and suggested options which would allow the vegetation to be more easily maintained but my comments were over-ruled and now we have the abomination of a tarmaced-over roundabout.

And there was no consultation regarding the same thing at the Shafton roundabout!

So – beware of de-vegetation coming to a roundabout near you, sometime soon care of the council. Barnsley Green Party will be campaigning for its reinstatement – and for the greening-up of new roundabouts such as the one on Dearne Valley Parkway at Hoyland which the council has covered in – wait for it – Welsh slate.