Latest news with #GrowWild
Daily Record
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Mixed response PKC's 'environmentally-friendly alternative' to grass-cutting
The initiative has been met with safety fears and criticism as PKC highlighted the "more environmentally-friendly alternative" to keeping its green spaces under control Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) has reverted to a medieval method of maintaining some of its green spaces. The local authority - which has been criticised for its "no mow" approach - this week announced staff had received training to cut grass with scythes. PKC also offered to train volunteers to safely use the sharp tools to maintain its public spaces. A PKC spokesperson said: "Our Community Greenspace staff have recently received training in the safe use of scythes from an experienced trainer through SABI (Scythe Association of Britain and Northern Ireland) as an effective and more environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil fuel-powered equipment. "As a result, we can now offer training to community groups, on request, if they are looking to use these tools safely when carrying out maintenance in their local green spaces. Only people who are suitably trained and have the council's permission can carry out this work in public green spaces. Anyone interested in volunteering with Community Greenspace can find out more on our website at Since 2021 PKC has changed the way it manages its grasslands. From 2021 to 2024 grassland management trials were carried out across 198 council sites. A "cut and lift" approach was carried out on some sites - where there was an annual cut and clippings were removed and a "cut and leave" approach was adopted on other sites where clippings from the annual cut were left to allow wildflowers such as daisies and buttercups to grow. In 2024 the Grow Wild programme was extended across Perth and Kinross for two years in a bid to improve biodiversity and reduce maintenance costs at up to 1,700 of the 1,900 sites PKC maintains. The initiative has been met with criticism, with children traipsing through hidden dog poo in long grass to get to play parks. Council cemeteries are scheduled to have their grass cut on a fortnightly basis and strimming around headstones on a monthly basis. However, staffing pressures last year led to a bereaved mum resorting to bringing a battery-powered strimmer to clear her son's grave. Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes - who has received a number of complaints about PKC's Grow Wild policy - is "perplexed" by this latest "full vintage" move. The Conservative councillor said: "I was a little perplexed that the council have gone full vintage on their grass-cutting policy and I certainly hope that none of these scythes are being sharpened up to make an even bigger cut to the grass-cutting budget than has already taken place. "I really don't understand the aim here; if it's honestly about reducing emissions then battery-operated strimmers would surely be suitable? Or else we could perhaps just order a few sheep to keep the grass down - after all, they get paid in grass, fertilise as they go and never complain." The news received a mixed response on PKC's Facebook page. Stuart King asked: "Is it April 1? Most dangerous tool out!" Craig Murray added: "Wow. Talk about using anything to save money; are we going back to the Stone Age?" Chris Jackson said: "So in other words, we're too tight to pay our employees to get out and cut all the grassy areas we've neglected for the last six months, so we'll get Joe Public to do all our work for us but claim we're doing our bit for the environment. Sounds about right." Some supported the green initiative. Gus Norman said: "Well done." Madeline Warriner added: "MacRosty Park looks fantastic. In my opinion, they have got the balance right between natural grassland and mown grassland. Congratulations to the team for doing this." Kim Winters Alumis said: "I like how parks and green spaces have patches of longer grass. It looks much better then just boring short grass."
The Courier
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Courier
Grass-cutting scaled up across Perth and Kinross as council funds second trim for A-road verges
Council bosses say they are stepping up roadside verge-cutting across Perth and Kinross following controversial changes last summer. The grass beside every public road is scheduled to be cut once. And A-roads will get a second cut later in the season after additional funding was set aside in this year's budget. It follows a reduced service last year as a result of budget reductions. This led to concerns about safety and the unkempt appearance of key routes. Perth and Kinross Council has now acknowledged the move 'resulted in noticeable changes to verge maintenance outwith settlement boundaries, with some roads not being cut at all'. The council is also promising improvements to its weed-spraying programme. It says wet and windy conditions and 'unforeseen contractor issues' hindered efforts last year. Verge-cutting is due to begin at the end of May. Every A, B, C and U-classified public road in Perth and Kinross will be given at least one full cut. And an additional £70,000 was made available in this year's budget for a second cut to A-class roads. This will be carried out in late July and through August. Junctions or sections of roads where there is deemed to be a safety issue will also receive an extra trim. The council says: 'This will be sufficient to ensure annual vegetation growth is kept in check whilst achieving some biodiversity benefits by not cutting the whole network twice.' Residents are encouraged to report any safety concerns via the MyPKC website. Trunk roads, such as the A9 and A85, will continue to be managed by Transport Scotland. The plans are set out in a new briefing for local councillors. The council says it has also addressed the contractor issues that plagued the weed-spraying programme last year. Streets and hard surfaces will be sprayed twice this summer. The first round is just starting, and a second spray will commence in August with completion by mid-September. Contractors will also carry out weed control at a number of parks involved in the Grow Wild scheme. The policy aims to boost biodiversity by leaving grass to grow longer in parks and other open spaces. But it has led to complaints from residents who say it encourages dog-fouling, littering and the spread of ticks.
The Courier
22-04-2025
- General
- The Courier
Aberfeldy anger as controversial Grow Wild plans expand throughout Perthshire
Residents say they're fighting for their public spaces as a controversial rewilding strategy goes Perthshire-wide. Signs are appearing in parks and play areas across Perth and Kinross, advising passers-by about the Grow Wild scheme. They say locals can expect longer grass, more wildflowers, fewer chemicals and less strimming. But the Perth and Kinross Council plans are already sparking anger in places like Aberfeldy. Residents fear the wild areas will lead to dog fouling, litter, and ticks, as well as discouraging youngsters from playing outdoor games. And a proposal to leave land around the town's Black Watch monument unmown has been declared a non-starter. Aberfeldy resident Val Ferguson says the idea is disrespectful to the birthplace of the historic Perthshire regiment. And she claims Grow Wild isn't needed in a place like Aberfeldy. 'We live in the countryside,' said Val. 'You only have to walk 100 yards and you're in the actual wild. You don't have to take children's play parks away from them.' This is year two for Grow Wild after the first phase was rolled out in Perth and the surrounding area last summer. The council says it wants to encourage biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions and 'create more interesting open spaces'. But its efforts proved unpopular last year. Residents complained about inaccessible play areas, dangerous road verges, unmown cemeteries and weeds running rampant. And critics labelled the policy cost-cutting in disguise. Aberfeldy councillor John Duff organised a meeting between council officers and residents concerned about the Grow Wild plans. He said he would work to ensure the proposals are introduced 'sensibly, in areas of the town which can cope with the changes'. 'Children's play areas and sports pitches will largely be untouched,' said Mr Duff. 'And high amenity places, such as the area around the Black Watch monument, will continue to be maintained.' A walkabout of target areas is also planned. And he's been told funding is available for tree and bulb planting and wildflower seeding to encourage pollinators and make wilder areas more attractive. But Mr Duff said the council has to acknowledge that funding cuts are a factor too. 'The reality is that the SNP have cut the ground maintenance budget by over £700,000 in the last three years with a further £400,000 of cuts still to come,' he said. 'The team just doesn't have the resources it would need and has to make savings. 'This will involve no longer cutting the grass beneath trees and expanding the no-mow areas around the edges of some other open spaces.' Perth and Kinross Council defended its Grow Wild strategy in Aberfeldy and elsewhere. A spokesperson said: 'This is an approach to parks and open space management which is now widely used throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK. 'We are working closely with all communities, including residents in Aberfeldy, to ensure public spaces remain fit for community use while encouraging biodiversity.'
