WIDESPREAD concerns about the state of Cheltenham's grass verges will not be enough to warrant increased spending to fix the problem.
Borough council bosses said they simply do not have the money to throw at an issue which has become an increasingly sensitive subject.
One of the wettest summers on record caused grass to grow at an increased rate but cutting continued despite downpours.
As a result, the council received complaints from residents angry at drains being blocked by grass that was never taken away. And add to this the damage done to wet verges by inconsiderate cars and lorries and the verges in Cheltenham had been left in a sorry state.
A council report into the issue admitted that a perception had crept into some areas of the town that the standard of maintenance had gone down.
A good indicator of this is the four formal complaints and 114 'enquiries' the council received between April and August from people questioning verge upkeep.
However, Councillor Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for sustainability, said more money would not be spent on improving the situation.
He said: "This summer has been one of the wettest on record and that has made things particularly challenging in the maintenance of grass verges."
He added: "Given the council's current financial position, it is not possible or realistic to suggest that more resource goes into this area."
The council spends £120,000 of its own money, along with £55,000 from the county council, to keep the verges tidy.
While it cannot spend anymore, councillors resolved to look at how changes can be made to the existing service.
Recommendations set to be presented to the council's cabinet in December included adopting a more flexible approach to cutting and plans for regular discussions to be held the county council about enforcement options to combat illegal parking on verges.
He said: "We are aware that residents have concerns and we will be recommending a number of measures to cabinet next month. These include regular meetings between ourselves and our partners to identify and take action on specific issues, greater consideration of verge design during the early planning process and enforcement when illegal parking occurs on the verges."
OPINION, P8