Sidmouth grass row grows

RESTLESS residents in Sidmouth are fed up with the long grass growing at roadside verges leading into town.Pensioners John and Marie King live on the corner of Victoria Road and Vicarage Road and regularly 'lose' their little dog, Daisy, a Lancashire heeler, when walking her outside in the two-foot high grass, thistles and dandelions adjoining the road junction."It is like it every year. The only time it gets cut is the week before the Britain in Bloom judging," said Mr King, 82."Every year we have to complain to get it cut. This is one of the main roads into Sidmouth and it looks unsightly."He has contacted all three councils to complain and says: "I am paying taxes the same as everyone else." He claims the verges are only cut twice a year and, added Mrs King, 77, none of the cut grass is removed, leaving it to blow around the road.The couple has lived there 10 years and, although tempted to cut the grass themselves, are concerned it would become their responsibility, leaving them liable if anyone slipped over.Neither wants to see the grass replaced and Mrs King said: "We don't want to live in a concrete jungle, but Daisy is getting lost in a grass jungle." Devon County Council is responsible for cutting grass bounding main roads. Urban grass is cut six times a year and, while March and April cuts were done, the two May bank holidays and mechanical breakdowns have delayed the contractor, explained Sidmouth/Sidford County Councillor Stuart Hughes.He added: "At present they are nine to 10 days behind. They are at present catching up and the next cut in June should be carried out at end of the month."Wet weather has provided good growing conditions which, with delays to cutting have left verges in a poor state. "East Devon used to contribute towards two additional cuts, but this stopped a couple of years ago.