The contractor employed to maintain grass areas in Medway has had to bring in a hit squad because they can't cope with the work they have been employed to do.

People living in several areas of Medway have contacted the Medway Messenger saying the streets where they live are becoming totally overgrown, to the point of becoming dangerous.

Many people say grass verges, fields and play areas are not being mowed or cut back regularly enough, especially in areas of Rainham and Gillingham.

Medway Council contracts a company called Quadron Services Ltd to do the work, but because of complaints and the work not being carried out, council officers have met with managers from the company and have come up with an action plan.

As a result of the meetings, Quadron are recruiting more people to cope with the work and have even sub-contracted the work out at their own cost to make sure it is completed and maintained.

The company has been fined by the council for not carrying out the work on time, although the council says they are doing what they can. The authority says it also apologises to residents for the poor service and standards.

One woman who complained about the problems was Jakki Douglass, of Scott Avenue, Rainham.

She said: "It's terrible the grass is so high. I've complained several times, and was told it would be sorted out by the end of last week, but we are still waiting.

"When it rains the grass verges will become very slippery, there are a lot of old people who live around here and it’s dangerous for them to walk."

Cllr Howard Doe, portfolio holder for community services, said: "This is a serious matter and the contractors are working hard to address the current shortfalls.

"We have agreed an action plan and, at their own cost, the contractor has brought in additional grass cutting teams, including a hit squad. We are also bringing in additional sub-contractors, again at the contractor’s cost, to tackle a number of sites where priority action is required."