Bureaucracy gone mad as half grass on playing field is cut at different times by diffferent councils

Grass is being cut on one half of a playing field by one council in the West Midlands, but it is being left to grow on the other side by another local authority. The situation, described as ‘council bureaucracy gone mad’, is driving residents round the bend as Sandwell Council and Walsall Council fail to agree on who mows the field near the Yew Tree estate.



One half has been left neatly cut by Sandwell Council workers. But the other half of the field, which measures the size of an 11-a-side football pitch, falls under Walsall and has been been left uncut. Residents say the problem has persisted for a while as one half of the field grows, the other is cut, then visa versa.

Campaigner David Fisher says it is ‘mind-boggling’ how the councils have failed to resolve the issue leaving the fields looking unsightly. The 38-year-old from Longleat, in Great Barr said: “I just think that it is mind-boggling that neither council will just sort this out.” Football training sessions are occasionally held on the grassed land, which is open space for people to go and use.



Sandwell Council leader, Councillor Darren Cooper, agreed that the issue will be tackled. “This is council bureaucracy gone mad. It is stupid when two councils cannot talk together to work out a way of ensuring that this work is done properly to the satisfaction of local residents,” he said. Walsall councillor Anthony Harris, who is in charge of the borough’s parks, said: “It’s a ridiculous situation and we’re going to address it, common sense dictates that action needs to be taken.”