Councillor accuses Minister of hiding in the long grass

Alliance Councillor Michael Long has hit out at the Infrastructure Minister after he refused a meeting to discuss the need for grass cutting in Belfast.

Lisnasharragh Councillor Mr Long made the request after raising constituents’ concerns with the Department over the overgrown grass throughout Belfast, which has led to a number of dangerous situations.

However, Minister Hazzard has now replied to state that due to an allocation of extra money to roads maintenance activities, ‘a meeting would not be beneficial at this time’. Mr Long said he was disappointed by the response.

“While it is welcome that more money is being diverted to maintaining our roads and associated issues, the Minister needs to realise there must be wider solutions developed that prevents situations such as overgrown grass becoming such a big issue every year.

“It is therefore disappointing the Minister has refused to meet, particularly given the number of constituents that have come to me with their concerns. While it may not sound like a major issue to some, overgrown grass can lead to dangerous situations such as drivers being unable to see around corners, as well as aesthetic problems.

“If the Minister would meet, we would be able to lay out a number of proposed environmentally friendly solutions that would also remove these eyesores. I would urge him to rethink this refusal and meet urgently regarding this problem.”

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