Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council will step in to cut key grass areas
July 1, 2015
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council carries out an ongoing grass-cutting and grass maintenance programme for Council-owned parks and grassed areas in its playgrounds and facilities.
Transport NI is responsible for grass cutting on other public areas such as road verges. This service however has been reduced and, with this in mind, Elected Members of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council want to ensure that the main gateways into the area and key arterial routes are well maintained.
The Council is aware of the adverse impact that a poor visual appearance of the area could have and is therefore committed to progressing a partnership approach in improving the overall appearance of the City Council area. The local communities will also be encouraged to participate in maintaining the visual amenity so that the area can be enjoyed by all those who live, work, visit or invest in the area. Civic pride will be encouraged across the entire area and the Council is keen to work with the whole community in this regard.
Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of the Development Committee, who proposed that the grass cutting be undertaken, said: “The Council endeavours to maintain those areas for which it is responsible however it is important to consider the main gateways where there is some high grass growth. We want the area to be a pleasant one not only for our ratepayers; but for visitors and shoppers coming into our towns and villages in the tourist season.
“We will endeavour, for the foreseeable, that priority area grass cutting which is not our responsibility be undertaken where possible to make the area look a little better.”
The Chairman of the Environmental Services Committee, Cllr Brian Hanvey, said: “This work is the responsibility of Transport NI, however the Council will endeavour to maintain the main gateways into the City Council and continue to work with our community to promote civic pride and work together for a better Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.
“We will have to identify where the priority areas are and what can be maintained; and this work is currently underway. There is no doubt that long grass on the side of roads looks very untidy and it is not the impression we want our area to have. Expanding the current grounds maintenance arrangements will have to take into account overall budgetary requirements.”
Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Leisure & Community Development Committee, said: “There are plenty of people coming to leisure facilities over the summertime with children now on school holidays and we want their approach to the Council area, whether it be to the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex or to the Dundonald International Ice Bowl; or to one of our parks to be as pleasant as possible.
“It is important to the Council that the area looks as good as it can. We must have a mind to the cost of this work but will do what we can to improve some of the areas which should normally be cut by Transport NI. I am pleased that three Council Committee Chairmen have joined together to look at this work.”