For the residents of Tewkesbury Borough, the transformation of our once well-kept public spaces into overgrown, neglected areas represents more than just an eyesore; it's a tangible decline in our community's quality of life. For over 50 years, the Borough Council maintained these green spaces, ensuring they were safe, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing. However, the cessation of grass cutting on Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) owned lands has left our neighbourhoods looking untidy and unwelcoming.

The reason given to stop the cutting was to save up to £50,000 from the Borough Council’s budget but figures from the end of the 2025-26 financial accounts show a budget surplus of £2.7 million pounds and the latest Quarter 1 figures for the current financial year show a healthy £886,000 surplus.

This issue is not merely about aesthetics. Over the summer, these unkempt areas of public grass and verges posed genuine hazards. The long, dry grass became a fire risk, particularly during the hot weather experienced this year, potentially endangering nearby homes and properties. Dog owners have reported issues due to the unmanaged growth with difficulty in picking up faeces, and the abundance of pollen has intensified the suffering of those with hay fever and related allergies.

Moreover, the uncut grass affects the wellbeing of all who live here and those visiting our towns. The neglected appearance diminishes the pride we take in our community, making it less inviting for tourists and potentially affecting local businesses that depend on visitors.

Action must be taken to reinstate the cutting. We petition Tewkesbury Borough Council to resume the regular maintenance of GCC areas in 2027, as was the practice for decades. Implementing a sustainable and long-term grass cutting program will help restore our community's health, safety, and visual appeal.

In your decision-making, consider not just the immediate cost savings of leaving these areas uncut, but the broader impact on community safety, public health, and local economy. By investing in the upkeep of our public spaces now, we can preserve the integrity and beauty of Tewkesbury Borough for generations to come.

This position is made even more untenable and intolerable given that the government has decided that the Borough Council will now merge with the County Council to form a single unitary authority in April 2028 and the grass cutting will all be done in the name of that authority. We therefore ask the Borough Council to re-introduce the cutting of the grass in these GCC owned areas so that fairness can be restored and that Tewkesbury Borough residents can once again have a sense of pride in their areas. 

Please sign this petition to urge Tewkesbury Borough Council to act in the best interests of its residents and restore the regular maintenance of these crucial community spaces.