CONCERN has been raised over the safety and appearance of overgrown grass verges and central reservations in Cirencester.

There are fears that overgrown grass in the town, especially on the Cirencester ring road, poses a danger to drivers as it can severely restrict their vision.

Two councillors are worried that these overgrown areas indicate a lack of care for the environment and the aesthetic appeal of Cirencester.

Leader of Cotswold District Council Joe Harris and Cllr Lisa Spivey have urged the county council to start wildflowers planting to help improve the visual appeal of the town.

However, Gloucestershire County Council has assured residents that plans are in place to tackle this issue.

A spokesperson for the county council has confirmed that the grass cutting schedule is underway and that they are currently prioritising the areas where drivers' visibility is most affected.

Cllr Harris said: "The ring road around Cirencester is an accident waiting to happen as motorists have to edge out into the roundabout to get a clear view of oncoming traffic.

"The district council has invested money into a trial wildflower planting scheme alongside the county council yet we’ve heard no progress.

"We must act now to rectify this oversight and restore our green spaces to their former glory."

Cllr Lisa Spivey said: “Our town is a fantastic place to visit but if the first thing visitors see is hugely overgrown and unkept verges and roundabouts, it isn’t a great first impression. 

"The lack of investment in maintaining the aesthetic quality of our public spaces reflects a short-sighted approach by Gloucestershire County Council.

"They’ve used the No-mow May initiative as an excuse not to do anything on this issue."

Cllr Dom Morris, cabinet member for highways, said: “Safety is our number one priority.

"Our summer grass cutting schedule is now underway and we are prioritising the areas where visibility is most restricted.

"This includes the junction visibilities on the Cirencester ring road which will be cut in the next few days.

"We are committed to increasing biodiversity, but when it comes to our road sides, this must be done in a safe way that does not inhibit visibility for drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians.

"We identified several areas which were appropriate for wildflower planting in the spring so we can all enjoy the resulting blooms later this summer.

"We also safely supported and promoted No Mow May which meant pollinators had increased nectar sources.

“Alongside our summer grass cutting schedule, we are carrying out litter picking and street cleansing to keep our towns looking their best.

"This work is in conjunction with the district council, as Cllr Harris as Leader at CDC will be aware.

“Residents can raise any road visibility issues they have by using our Report It service at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/report-it.”