GRASS in Spelthorne will get a cut prior to a visit by the judges of the Boroughs in Bloom contest.

Surrey's Local Transportation Director for Spelthorne, Paul Fishwick, gave an undertaking about the timing of the grass-cutting programme to members of the Spelthorne Local Committee at their meeting, on Tuesday, May 13, at Town Farm Primary School, in Stanwell.

"One cut has been done already this year, in April, and a second is underway," said Mr Fishwick.

"We cut to highways standards, which means seven cuts a year."

Spelthorne Borough Council used to fund a further eight cuts, but has ceased to do this since Surrey took over the agency for highways works.

"It costs about £10,000 a cut, but to collect the cuttings, as many might wish, would increase that cost six-fold."

Mr Fishwick assured Beryl Wilkins, who raised the issue from the floor, that he would time the programme for a cut in early July, ahead of judging for the Borough in Bloom competition, in Spelthorne.

"We have brought Surrey great honours," Mrs Wilkins told the committee. "We have a wonderful record of In Bloom awards in Stanwell we are second to none in the county - and Charlton and Halliford are successful too."

Local committee chairman, John Carruthers, said: "I know how successful you are in the Britain in Bloom awards, through the community spirit and generosity of local residents."

May 30, 2003 10:30