Weather conditions are being blamed for unkempt play areas and verges in Ashford as disappointed residents hit out at the council.

Patches of grass across the town have become overgrown in recent weeks, with neighbours calling for action to be taken.

Kennington resident John Humpston, who lives in Bybrook Road, noted that some of the grass is as high as cars' axles and claims the untidy verges are just "the most visible icing on the cake" of a slew of issues in the area.

He said: "I think it shows really bad management - as an area manager I believe every Monday and Friday you should do a drive around and know intimately any problems in your area.

"If you're not doing your job properly, your manager has to be held to account as well."

When another Kennington resident complained to Ashford Borough Council (ABC), the authority's landscaping contractor Aspire replied that the growth was due to this year's weather.

Bockhanger ward councillor Diccon Spain (Lab) received a similar response when he - responding to complaints from residents - raised the issue with James Laidlaw, the grounds maintenance manager at ABC.

"I pushed them in May to mow areas in and around Bockhanger and Bybrook and they did cut it that month," he said.

"But then it got very long again very quickly, and James told me it's unfortunately just been perfect conditions for grass growth.

"He also suggested that Covid was causing delays, and residents have been telling me that the period between cuts has been extended.

"That does seem to be the case so I've pushed again and we've been getting further cuts in Bockhanger and Bybrook, which is great but I know other areas are still waiting."

In a statement, a council spokeswoman said: "This year has been extraordinary in terms of a weather pattern, with a cold April and the wettest May on record followed by warm sunny days in June.

"This has created a late spring 'flush' of growth, greater and later in the season than we would ordinarily see.

"Our staff are working as fast as they can to tackle this and would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding."

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