Residents living near ‘fire risk’ grass left unmown by council demand action
Residents living near a large area of unmown grassland in the middle of a Desborough housing estate have demanded action by North Northants Council’s contractors.
The grassed slope links Wilton Close to Roman Way, with a public footpath leading between to the two roads.
Ever since Bob Pike moved into Wilton Close residents have seen the grass mown by council contractors twice a year – until this year.
Expecting the regular maintenance to take place in April, as the grass and weeds grew higher and higher Bob contacted North Northants Council (NNC) to see when they were going to be cut back.
He said: “This is the first year it’s not been cut. North Northants Council admitted it was their responsibility.
“When I first contacted them they said it was the responsibility of the parish council [Desborough Town Council].
“I contacted the town council and they said it wasn’t them. It went back and forward. Eventually North Northants Council said it was their responsibility.”
Last month, after the clarification, Bob was ‘promised’ the grass would be mown but the grass is now over waist height.
With the extended dry spell Bob and other residents are concerned the tinder-dry ‘field’ could fall foul to fire.
He said: “This is ridiculous. This is a fire risk. It wants cutting and clearing – it can’t be left in a pile that’s dangerous.
“It needs cutting twice a year.”
He added: “If this was Bowling Green Road in Kettering [one of North Northants Council’s offices], they wouldn’t leave it like this.”
North Northants Council has been contacted for a comment.