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21
Jun 2021
The Harrogate district's wild new look this summer continues to divide opinion, as swathes of land are left to grow several feet high. Now that some areas have been cut the contrast is really starting to show.
Harrogate Borough Council's bid to encourage rewilding has won plaudits but there is also concern about the state of some verges that have grown up to three feet tall in buttercups and wildflowers — sometimes hampering visibility at junctions.
A recent Stray Ferret post on Facebook about whether the grass should be cut attracted more than 300 comments.
Some praised the council for biodiversity but others raised concerns about aesthetics and safety.
Here is a selection of the hundreds of comments, in no particular order.
Maurizio Hales said:
But Lynne Oliver-walsh was less enthusiastic. She said:
Ben Askew, however, said:
Abi Fulford raised the issue of road safety. She said:
Paul Mayfield gave a thumbs down:
Karl Richardson objected not only on the grounds of how it looks but also on the impact it has on dog owners.
Gill Thompson-Hammell said:
What do you think of the new look for Harrogate's verges? Send your thoughts to be included in Stray Views by sending an email to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
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