A TOWN councillor has expressed his anger and frustration at the damage being caused to grass verges in Norton.

Councillor Hugh Spencer, who lives in Bazley’s Lane, said a number of areas around the town were being churned up into a “sea of mud” by inconsiderate drivers.

“It is very frustrating and makes those who volunteer by planting bulbs and helping to maintain the grass verges, very angry to find the damage caused by mindless drivers who ride over them and churn them up into a sea of mud,” he said.

“This is particularly frustrating when we have the Tour de Yorkshire coming next month and just when we hope the daffodils planted by Norton Town Council and the Rotary Club should be in bloom.

“An area of grass verge close to the post box in Langton Road is being cut up by large lorries and other vehicles which, regardless of a very wide layby, seem to find it insufficient for turning and parking, thereby causing deep ruts and crushing emerging bulbs.

“Witnesses have told me of cars and vans driving right up to the post box, even though the layby is only a couple of yards away in order to post letters without getting out of their vehicles - how idle and inconsiderate can they get?”

Cllr Spencer said the second area was further up Langton Road, where tractors were causing damage by running diagonally over the grass verges and leaving so much mud that the area was impassable to walkers.

“Many people have expressed their dismay and anger over this couldn’t care less attitude and ignorant behaviour,” he said.

“North Yorkshire Highways, whose duty it is to maintain these areas, seem unable or unconcerned to take action against perpetrators and it is left to smaller councils to take up the slack.

“One can only hope that people will feel some guilt of failing that be names and shamed.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: “North Yorkshire County Council takes very seriously any damage on its highway network and the impact of that damage on the safety of the travelling public as well as the costs incurred by local taxpayers when we have to rectify this damage.

“Damage to verges is a widespread issue.

“We would welcome any evidence relating to inconsiderate drivers damaging highway verges to enable us to pursue them for the recovery of all costs associated with repair of the verges.”