Council accused of ‘environmental neglect’ as giant weeds take hold in pavement planter

Middlesbrough Council has been accused of “environmental neglect” after a large pavement planter on one of the town’s main thoroughfares was overtaken by giant weeds.

Independent councillor Joan McTigue said a friend had previously given up “time, money and staff” to renovate the planter on Marton Road close to St Joseph’s RC Church.

She said: “We had residents and passers by thanking them as they worked and all the council had to do was keep it weed free.

“Take a look at it now and it’s been in that state for almost a year.”

Coun McTigue, who represents the Longlands and Beechwood ward, said her complaints to council officers about the situation had been ignored.

She said: “We often wait 15 minutes for calls to be answered, and days or weeks for e-mails to be answered.

“Communication between senior staff and some councillors is almost non-existent.”

Coun McTigue also claimed that environment staff had been authorised to work “overtime” on other projects elsewhere in the borough

Asked to respond to Coun McTigue’s remarks, a spokesman for the council said: “We work hard to keep our flowerbeds, planters and verges in good condition, and they are maintained as part of a rolling programme.

“We’re grateful to members of the public and councillors for bringing issues to our attention, and our teams will address any issues as soon as they can.”