GRASSED slopes in Ramsbottom will not be cut with mowers – due to health and safety concerns.

Councillor Alan Quinn explained the decision when responding to a query from Cllr Ian Bevan during a council meeting.

Cllr Bevan asked whether the policy would be reviewed now it is summer.

He felt residents in Callender Street, Albert Street, and others in Ramsbottom deserved an answer.

Cllr Quinn revealed risk assessments were carried out on grass banking in the borough, to follow safety guidelines for ‘works using machinery on sloping ground’ and ‘hand arm vibration’.

Cllr Quinn said: “The decision was taken to stop mowing banking that is over 30 degrees.

“For example, Callender Street is approximately 60 degrees in severity.”

He added: “Where banking is no longer cut, the gardeners will still continue to strim or mow the edges of the site on a periodic basis, where it is safe to do so.”

Cllr Bevan said overgrown areas can become unsightly, leading to ‘fly tipping and dog fouling’.

Cllr Quinn said there was no evidence of an increase in fly tipping or dog fouling where grass is longer.