Concerns have been raised in Gloucestershire regarding the risks associated with overgrown grass in parts of the county, particularly in Mitton and the wider Tewkesbury area. Residents have highlighted dangers including potential fire hazards and increased risk of Lyme disease due to tick bites, attributing the problem to what they describe as a “year of neglect” in grass cutting services.
County Councillor Vernon Smith (R, Tewkesbury West) and Tewkesbury Borough Councillor Graham Bocking (R, Northway) have jointly addressed a letter to Gloucestershire County Council leadership, urging immediate remedial action. The letter, directed to Chief Executive Jo Walker and Liberal Democrat Council Leader Lisa Spivey (South Cerney), criticises administrative delays and states that the situation has deteriorated beyond a simple inconvenience.
They describe the overgrown vegetation along residential property boundaries and wooden fencing as “a glaring public hazard and an unacceptable insult to local residents.” The unchecked long grass is believed to elevate fire risks, especially during dry periods. Additionally, the dense vegetation limits the inspection of ground conditions in residential green spaces, potentially concealing sharp objects, holes, and uneven terrain that could pose safety threats.
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The councillors also express concern that the overgrowth may provide a habitat for ticks, thereby increasing the risk of Lyme disease for both residents and pets.
Cllr Smith, leader of the Reform UK group at Shire Hall, emphasised residents' expectations for basic public services, stating, “For a full year, they have watched public land outside their doors deteriorate into an overgrown safety hazard while councils pass responsibility back and forth. We have exhausted every internal channel, submitted formal motions, and written to highways officers. It is time for leadership to stop making excuses and get the grass cut.”
Cllr Bocking echoed these sentiments, describing the issue as going beyond a visual nuisance, highlighting the genuine safety concerns for families, children, and property owners. He asserted, “The community cannot be expected to go through another season or endure a full winter in these conditions. We require a firm commitment and an immediate operational deployment from Gloucestershire County Council.”
Their letter calls for the immediate mobilisation of contractors, a clear public timetable for cutting all remaining overgrown areas, and the establishment of a long-term, accountable maintenance framework to prevent future service failures.
In response, Liberal Democrat Councillor Mark Harris (Cirencester North with Ermin), who oversees highways at Shire Hall, acknowledged residents' frustrations and affirmed the council’s commitment to safety. He explained, “Safety is, and always will be, our priority. That’s why, before undertaking any other work, we first ensure visibility is maintained at road junctions, bends, and other key locations. With this first round of safety work now completed, our countywide grass-cutting programme is well underway, and the Tewkesbury area is scheduled to be cut within the next two weeks. We will continue to work hard with local councils and communities in Tewkesbury to understand their priorities and concerns and explore opportunities to address them where possible.”