Lack of upkeep makes Aylesbury areas look like "third world country", says councillor
During a meeting of Bucks County Council’s (BCC) budget scrutiny select committee meeting last week, a concerned resident asked how much money will be allocated to footpath maintenance during the next financial year.
They said people are becoming increasingly upset over “six to eight-foot weeds and overhanging bushes” taking over the London Road from Aylesbury to Loudwater.
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Hide AdReading the question on behalf of the resident during the meeting on January 10, committee chairman, David Watson, said: “The current state [of roads and footpaths] leaves people feeling rather depressed at the state of our local communities.
“For example, there are numerous examples of six to eight-foot weeds, overhanging bushes and trees on the footpaths and roadsides on the London Road from Aylesbury Town down to the Loudwater Roundabout.”
Councillor for The Risboroughs, Bill Bendyshe-Brown, said overgrown greenery makes some areas of the county look like “third world countries”.
Cabinet member for transport, Mark Shaw, said there is only a budget of £125,000 for routine weed maintenance, however work is already underway to cut back overgrown shrubs on footpaths.
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Hide AdHe also assured members and residents the new unitary council, due to be launched next year, is likely to have different priorities and a new budget structure.
Cllr Shaw said: “The reality is we are spending £16 million on road resurfacing, £3 million on plane and patch and £2.5 million on revenue for the road network.
“Sadly, we have only got £125,000 to spend on routine weed maintenance.
“In terms of pavements we have a budget of £1.5 million for each-and-every year for the next four years.
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Hide Ad“I should make members of the public aware over the next year we will be coming together as one new council for Bucks and that new council will, I am sure, have different or new priorities, it will definitely have a new budgetary structure.”