A retired Kirklees Council gardener says the latest ‘mowing cuts’ are more proof of the authority’s systematic destruction of parkland, verges and flowerbeds.
Peter Fawcett, 66, of Cleckheaton, retired from the council’s parks department after 32 years in 2010.
Since then he has been an outspoken critic of what he sees as a council drive to clear verges of mature shrubs and trees and replace them with what he describes as “glorified weeds.”
This week the Examiner revealed a 12-week council trial to reduce grass cutting from once a week to every fortnight and leave some less popular fields and parkland to grow wild.
The council said the trial, to be reviewed at the end of June, was aimed at saving money.
But Mr Fawcett said all it would take was a wet summer to scupper the new mowing rotas.
“If the grass gets over six inches long it becomes a monster to deal with,” he said.
In a statement this week the council also detailed its intention to replace seasonal flowerbeds with “less time-intensive herbaceous borders.”
Mr Fawcett has highlighted the loss of healthy trees and shrubs for several years and has estimated that 30 miles of hedgerow, vital habitat for wildlife, has been ripped up by the council.
Mr Fawcett said that after he raised concerns last autumn some of the stripped beds were reinstated but he fears the destruction is about to start up again.
“Over the last few years in all parts of Kirklees shrubs and trees have been ruthlessly ripped up by the council and planted with glorified weeds, grasses and rocks in some places.
“I planted many of these colourful shrubs under the direction of the then parks manager Jim Baird,” he said.
“Some of the destruction has been prevented after I reported bedding being removed.
“Shrubs require pruning once a year. Grass should be cut at least 12 times a year and herbaceous borders, ie glorified weeds, should be dug up and replanted every three years.
“Shrubs do not require this. All this is a waste of taxpayers’ money, it is not saving money.”
Mr Fawcett, who enlisted the help of former Batley and Spen Labour MP Mike Wood in his campaign, added: “Parks were once run by dedicated head gardeners or superintendents of parks.
“These men were dedicated to improving and keeping up the standard of the parks. They have been replaced by managers who have no real love or real gardening knowledge.”
