Dear Sir,
I got a shock today when the Probation Services had people out litter picking and grass strimming the nature trail by the old railway line at Jowett Way/Simpasture gate area. You would think they were doing a good job – WRONG!
Seven years years ago the Town Council planted hundreds of brambles and saplings along the trail to help nature, and then people on probation come along and started strimming all the newly planted saplings, elder and bramble bushes.
Last week they were there again cutting down the very same area again after years of growth.
I asked them what they think they were doing and got a reply that the County Council had said they could litter pick and cut grass. But this land does not belong to the County Council, so I called Great Aycliffe Town Council to inform them what was happening and they too were as shocked as I was.
Why do the Probation Services think it’s ok to cut down saplings along a nature trail without permission? They guilty of gross negligence and criminal damage!
Not a sapling was left standing, brambles totally decimated, and harborage for the birds now gone!
Brian Sowerby
Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator Simpasture area.
Town Council Takes Action
Steve Cooper, Works and Environment Manager at Great Aycliffe Town Council was made aware of this issue by Mr Sowerby and immediately visited the site, upon arrival there was no operatives present.
Consent had not been given by the Council to work on Town Council land in this area. A request was made to the Probation Service Office to immediately cease any works on Great Aycliffe Town Council land of this nature until permission is sought; and a request was also made to meet with Probation Service Management.
