Note the verges where Walsall Council mages have been cut, but the ones around the Rising Sun have not. They’re Highways Agency responsibility.

Brownhills residents will maybe have noticed that the grass up on the A5 and particularly around the Rising Sun Island has lain uncut and grown so tall now that visibility is becoming a problem. Understandably, @walsallcouncil on twatter have been getting a bit of stick from people who not unreasonably believe the council to be responsible. I’ve also been asked about the situation.

I’d just like to point out this isn’t the Council’s fault, as maintaining the verges on the A5 is not the responsibility of the local council but of the Highways Agency, who have contracted the task out to Amey.

Note that on the Chester Road where Walsall Council have responsibility, the verges are mown.

At the request of @walsall_nhoods there is a gallery of images I took last week  here: it looks really bad as well as creating a hazard.

Following complaints, local councillors in Brownhills and Walsall Council are on the case as they have been for some time, and as I write, are still waiting for a definitive response from Amey.

If you wish to complain, you can contact the Highways Agency on 0300 123 5000, of find them on Twatter or Facebook.

I’m all for giving the Council hell when they deserve it, but in this case, it’s not their fault, but Kate and others are doing their best to get it fixed.

Updated, 22nd July 2013, 3:05pm:

Latest update is that the grass will be cut ‘This week’:

The problem is also along the A5 eastwards to Newtown.