ANGER is growing over an ongoing council programme of work which has seen hedges cut down in parks around York.

City of York Council workers have recently dug up bushes surrounding play equipment in Hull Road and removed shrubbery in Alcuin Avenue, prompting angry residents to start a petition calling for a halt to the work.

Now The Very Young Friends of West Bank Park, a social group for families, has called on the council to “see sense” over removal of greenery from the park, and plans to leave the park unlocked overnight to save money.

In a letter to council members Cath Heinemeyer, co-ordinator of the Young Friends, said: “As soon as the parks remain open at night, and when even a few people start drinking there and break a few bottles, people will start to value the environment of the park a little less, respect it a little less, and stop trusting that their kids are safe playing there.

“It doesn’t take much to start this kind of downward spiral. Ten years down the line, the bowling greens and wildlife area could be very degraded, the playground vandalised, and the woods could be full of all kinds of dangerous rubbish.”

Meanwhile, the leader of the council’s Green Group, Coun Andy D’Agorne said he was still waiting for answers on the cost of the controversial hedge work.

He said: “The only response I have had is that this is ‘routine maintenance’ which it clearly is not. The taxpayer has a right to know how much this is all costing and what the savings will be.”

Charlie Croft, City of York Council’s assistant director of public realm said: “Over the last ten years, five of City of York Council’s parks and gardens have achieved and retained their Green Flags – the national quality mark of open spaces.

“Over this time we have constantly improved and invested in the landscape to achieve this success. We remain committed to this standard and plan to bring the approach to more sites over the coming years – including Hull Road Park.

“We welcome residents’ involvement, such as the opportunities that are arising next month when a round of stakeholder meetings will be taking place.”