Bradford Council: cut the grass on the flood plain on the Higher Coach Road estate

The flood plain by the River Aire, West of Saltaire, is a popular spot for walkers, runners and dog-walkers as well as home to many families on the Higher Coach Road Estate.
For a number of years the grass has been cut only twice a year on the flood plain (unlike the grass on the flood plain by Green Lane). This raises a number of problems and means that residents of the Higher Coach Road Estate feel like second-class citizens.
When the grass is long litter, glass bottles, dog poo and hyperdermic needles are hidden. The Higher Coach Road Residents Group organises litter picks but these are much more difficult (and hazardous) in long grass. Parents no longer allow their children to play there as there have been at least two incidents where children have picked up and been injured by needles. Dog-walkers worry that their dogs will be injured. This space that was once used by the community has become a bit of an unvalued no-man's land. The Higher Coach Road Residents Group has planted willow trees to help with flood alleviation but these cannnot be seen for most of the year because the grass is so long.

When the grass is finally cut, twice a year, all of the litter is shredded including the tin cans that have accumulated over the Summer. We have had reports of dogs being injured on these shards of metal before the Higher Coach Road Residents Group has managed to organise a litter pick. We fear that one day it will be a child.

This is the single biggest concern raised by residents of the Higher Coach Road Estate. We urge the Council to reconsider their position and to reinstate regular grass-cutting of this popular and important amenity.