Banner
any day today rss X

News and Comment June 2016

Index: 2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024

20 June (Part 4) - It’s a jungle out there

Neglect NeglectYou have probably seen the pictures of dogs getting lost in the long grass in Bursted Woods or the hard to see football in Old Farm Park. You’ve probably seen similar things every time you venture outdoors. Bexley Council no longer regularly collects litter, sweeps footpaths or cuts grass any more.

The primary cause is lack of money and the poor financial management of Bexley Council over the last half dozen years cannot be blameless.

Councillors, Tory ones anyway, have put their own election and allowances before the needs of the borough. Twice the Conservatives have voted against Labour’s alternative budget and once against UKIP’s call to reduce Councillor’s allowances by a third. Their reason was that they were not sure how much money that might save. Any excuse will do.

I took a stroll up the nearest hill this afternoon to see how bad things were on the ground. Pretty bad. I think I have wrecked a pair of shoes in the long wet grass and my trousers were soaked to within inches of my waist.

Cabinet Member Alex Sawyer warned everyone that if Old Farm Park (and 25 others) was not sold Bexley would degenerate into an unkempt jungle. I think it already has.

The grass next to Sidcup War Memorial was cut twice last week, but that is because James Brokenshire MP was due to pay a visit to it last Saturday. Nearer to home nothing has been cut and path side nettles are thriving.

However I did find a bit of grass that had been cut. It was a short car trip away but it was worth the visit. See the panorama picture below.

Neglect Neglect Neglect Neglect

Neglect Neglect Neglect Neglect

Neglect

Burr Farm Park freshly mown. It’s the park that lies behind Council Leader Teresa O’Neill’s house. (Click for wider view.)
Related blog.

St. Michael’s ward residents have the opportunity to fire a warning shot at Teresa O’Neill on 30th June.

All of these pictures were taken today.

 

Return to the top of this page
Bonkers is a cookie free zone. Not a single one