Row breaks out over who's responsible for uncut grass in Trowbridge

The residents have launched a series of complaints since last October about the weeds sprouting from guttering near the Co-op shop and grass cutting in public open spaces in Castle Mead, Trowbridge.

Stewart Benford, of the Castle Mead Residents Group, said they have repeatedly asked the town and Wiltshire Council to do the work but nothing has happened.

Stewart Benford says residents in Castlemead are unhappy that Trowbridge Town Council has failed to cut the grass in some of the public open spaces for which it is responsible. Photo: Trevor Porter 69890-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mr Benford, 52, of Thirsk Drive, said: “We are still waiting for most of the estate to have its first grass cut of the year.

“I asked for the Co-op side of Castle Mead to have some attention to weeds in the gutter and for the sweeper to attend.

“Time and time and time again this was promised but it failed to happen and time and time again I followed this up and was again promised but nothing happened."

Castle Mead residents pay an annual maintenance charge of £174 to GreenSquareAccord housing group, and they say this is likely to rise by 13 per cent this year.

Mr Benford said: “We used to have problems yearly with GreenSquareAccord but they have been good recently.

“Part of the estate has now been adopted by Wiltshire Council, which then transferred services to Trowbridge Town Council in April."

A spokesman for GreenSquareAccord said: “We maintain the areas of Castlemead Estate which we are responsible for. 

“Our rent charge covers a range of services delivered within our section of the estate, including grass cutting, play area inspections, litter picks, hedge cutting and other work required on an ad hoc basis."

While GreenSquareAccord has cut the grass in Mascroft Road, the grass on the verge at Leap Gate just feet away has not been touched.

The grass has been cut at Mascroft Road but not in Leap Gate just feet away. Photo: Trevor Porter 69890-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

South West Wiltshire MP Dr Murrison and local ward councillor Mel Jacob offered to help sort out the situation at a meeting on Friday, June 2.

Mr Benford said: "We walked the estate with Andrew and Mel and the town council officer and showed them what should be cut.

"They are now aware of what should be done and what should be left to GreenSquareAccord. We are going to have regular contact with them to make sure everything is done."

Cllr Jacob said: ""It was frustrating as I had met with Wiltshire Council last year when they took the cutting in this area on and made sure that areas were clearly marked. 

The grass has been cut on the verge at Mascroft but not at Leap Gate just feet away. Photo: Trevor Porter 69890-4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

"There are many small service strips in the Castle Mead area that are to be maintained by TTC and not GS and these are not clearly defined. 

"The town council has had a tricky start to this but, in my experience, is working hard to get this right and be responsive to feedback which is definitely a move in the right direction."

Trowbridge Town Council's chief executive Lance Allan said: "Trowbridge Town Council did not take over responsibility for these services until April.

"The town council does not have a dispute with the residents but nor was the council made aware Wiltshire Council had adopted these areas of grass in Castle Mead."

Wiltshire Council leader Cllr Richard Clewer recently told Mr Benford: “I am afraid I don’t have any way to compel Trowbridge Town Council to take any specific action, they are an independent authority and not controlled by Wiltshire Council."