Untidy riverbank

Press, 26 April 1979, Page 20

Untidy riverbank

Sir, — I am writing about the state of part of the grass on Clarendon Terrace. Most residents on this river take pride in their gardens. Most are grateful for the dragline dredging — noisy though it was — which has improved river drainage so greatly of ,

late. But part of the river bank has been left in a fearful state. Long grass and a roughed-up surface certainly do not reflect the pride that most local residents have in this attractive area. There was some desultory attempt to trim the long grass a while ago by casual labour whose hearts were probably not in their task. After all, Fred Beaumont's prize-winning garden is in Clarendon Terrace. Surely we can do better. We are ratepayers. What are the council’s views? — Yours, etc., JOHN LESLIE.

March 20, 1979. [The General Manager and Town Clerk, Mr J. H. Gray, replies: “During the dredging operations it was not possible to cut the grass and work was further delayed after breakdowns with the special machine used for this work. The grass has since been cut. The council endeavours to cut the grass on river banks regularly, although the work is subject to seasonal factors and availability of machinery. We appreciate the work put into residents’ gardens and try to match it.”]