Residents of the Mitton and wider Tewkesbury area in Gloucestershire have raised significant concerns over the dangers posed by overgrown grass, following what has been described as a “year of neglect” in grass cutting across parts of the county.
County Councillor Vernon Smith (Reform UK, Tewkesbury West) and Tewkesbury Borough Councillor Graham Bocking (Reform UK, Northway) have jointly addressed Gloucestershire County Council through an open letter, urging immediate remedial action. They warn that the prolonged lack of maintenance has escalated from a mere inconvenience to a “glaring public hazard and an unacceptable insult to local residents”.
The letter, sent directly to chief executive Jo Walker and Liberal Democrat council leader Lisa Spivey (South Cerney), criticises what they describe as administrative delays and calls for a swift response to remediate the overgrown vegetation.
Concerns highlighted include the increased risk of fires due to long, dry grass growing unchecked alongside residential properties and wooden fences. Furthermore, the inability to properly inspect these areas might conceal dangerous hazards such as sharp objects, holes, and uneven ground, all posing safety risks to the public.
There is also a health concern related to ticks, which thrive in tall grass and can carry Lyme disease, potentially affecting residents and their pets.
Councillor Smith, leader of the Reform UK group at Shire Hall, has led campaigns on this issue for over a year. He stated, “Residents in Mitton and Tewkesbury pay their council tax expecting basic public services to be delivered. 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.”
Councillor Bocking emphasised that the issue has escalated beyond aesthetics to a serious safety concern for families, children, and property owners. “The community cannot be expected to go through another season or endure a full winter in these conditions,” he said. “We require a firm commitment and an immediate operational deployment from Gloucestershire County Council.”
Their letter demands the immediate mobilisation of contractors to address the problem, a clear public timetable for cutting all remaining overgrown areas, and a long-term, accountable maintenance plan to prevent future service failures.
Responding to the concerns, Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Harris (Cirencester North with Ermin), who oversees highways at Shire Hall, acknowledged residents’ frustrations. “We understand the frustration where grass cutting has not yet taken place,” he said. “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.”
Councillor Harris confirmed that following the completion of initial safety-focused grass cutting, the countywide programme is now underway, with the Tewkesbury area scheduled to be addressed 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,” he added.