Atherton: Complaints that overgrown gardens have been left for months

Mary Abbott is describing her garden and the grass around the Westfield Road sheltered accommodation in Atherton, which has been a similar case for other residents.

While it hasn't been the sunniest of summers, Mary said that she and her neighbours have become increasingly frustrated at the state of the communal grass areas that they share.

The neighbours have been unable to sit outside on any table and chairs this summer, and others have been unable to hang out their washing due to the overgrown grass, which Mary says hasn't been cut since around October last year.

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Mary said she and her neighbours have grown increasingly frustrated about the grass areas (Image: Mary Abbott)
Mary, 81, said: "It's a disgrace. I know that there has been a lot of rain recently, but the grass is about three feet high.

"I've lived here for 12 years and it's never been as bad as this, it's like a forest.

"The neighbours have complained to the council but nothing has been done for months. They said there is a no cutting policy in May but I've never heard that excuse before, and it's halfway through June now and nothing's been cut.

"We have a committee here and we haven't been able to buy tables and chairs to sit outside this year because the grass is so bad."

Mary said that the grass hasn't been cut since last October (Image: Mary Abbott)

Since we first spoke, Mary said that council teams have been out to cut some parts of the grass area, but will have to return to finish the job as they were unprepared for the size of the grass.

Residents in other council run properties have raised concerns about the same issue, with the council apologising for the delay.

Janet Hendry complained about her elderly mum's council-run garden (Image: Janet Hendry)
Dave Lyon, assistant director for environment, said: “Due to operational issues, we are sorry to say that we are running slightly behind schedule on our grass cutting this summer.

“However, we are pleased to confirm that the grass at Westfield Road sheltered accommodation will be cut within the next week.

“We’re working hard to catch up with our schedule and thank residents for their patience during this time.”

Many others have raised concerns about the lack of cutting on social media (Image: Janet Hendry)