Residents' anger over state of Fulwell grass verges

Dozens of residents of Kirkstone Avenue, Fulwell, have signed the petition calling on the council to concrete over muddy grass verges in their street.

It will be handed in to the full council by Councillor Margaret Beck.

The residents claim the street suffers particularly because of parking for the local Metro Station and because is also used as a “rat run” to avoid thee traffic lights at the Grange junction.

One Kirkstone Avenue resident said: “Because of the cars constantly driving on and off the verges, the mud is on the path and the road too.

“It is an eyesore, but it’s also a big problem - the mud is often very slippery and it’s difficult to avoid walking the mud into your house and damaging the carpets.”

Ken Richardson, Labour’s candidate for Fulwell ward in May’s local government elections, launched the petition after listening to the concerns of residents.

He said: “The verges cause a particular nuisance when it’s been raining.

“It’s not just residents that are affected but anyone who walks down the street.

“I know that Councillor Margaret Beck has had some success with petitions in the past, most notably, she secured the Parking Management Scheme that is being installed around the Metro and the Monkwearmouth Hospital this summer.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to get a victory for residents on this issue too.”