An online petition calling for North Lanarkshire Council to reinstate the maintenance of grassed areas has amassed support.
The online petition is specifically aimed at the G71 area, which includes Uddingston, Bellshill and Bothwell, but it's author says she hopes it can see change to the whole of North Lanarkshire.
Emma Conlon's petition has almost 400 signatures and reads: “COVID has created several mental health issues and many continue to struggle.
"This removal of grounds maintenance is only making it worse and affects many areas within the G71 vicinity.
"There are several areas adjacent to main roads and surrounding areas that have also been removed from this service and from a health and wellbeing perspective, which we understand is a public health priority, it is only making matters worse. “
Since landscaping services - such as mowing of grassed verges - were scaled back by NLC as a budget measure, some residents have clubbed together to hire services at their own expense.
Independent Cumbernauld East councillor Paddy Hogg has also stated he intends to raise the matter via motion at the next full council meeting.
The leader of the council, Jim Logue, meanwhile, has stated that given ongoing reductions in funding since 2007 - now in excess of £300m - cutting grass in privately owned housing areas was no longer possible.
Councillor Logue blames these cuts on the SNP Government.
The online petition can be found online.
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