THE number of times grass verges in Derby are cut each year is to increase after complaints from the public. Derby City Council said the amount saved by halving the number of times it cuts grass verges in streets from 12 to six, between March and October, was set to be £91,000 a year.
But some people living in Mickleover said they believed the authority should find the cash - with grass at junctions around the Pendlebury Drive and Uttoxeter Road area more than a foot high.
As a result, councillor Ranjit Banwait, the new leader of Derby City Council, said he wanted the number of times the verges were mown returned to previous levels - but warned "something else" would need to take a hit to save cash.
He said he has now listened to concerned residents and increased the number from six to 10 times a year.
Mr Banwait said the change came into action yesterday and Streetpride staff have already been out to deal with some of the verges.
He said: "We have many difficult decisions to make in what is financially a challenging time but that doesn't mean we can't listen to residents.
"Our decision to reduce the number of cuts has been shown to affect the visual impact of the city to a level far greater than anticipated.
"This is partly due to the fact we've had a warm and wet start to the year, which has led to ideal growing conditions.
"We want to keep Derby a city to be proud of and maintaining the grass verges to an acceptable standard will form part of this.
"The Labour administration at the council has therefore acted on residents' concerns and I look forward to seeing our grass verges looking in a better condition soon."
