VERGES are turning into mudbaths because contractors are being allowed to reinstate them with grass seed instead of turf after digging them up, a York councillor claims.

Cllr Mark Warters spoke out after complaining to Yorkshire Water about a verge which the utility firm had dug up in Tranby Avenue, Osbaldwick.

The Independent councillor claimed it left the verge as a mud bath following works to a water leak.

The firm told him the verge reinstatement was completed to specifications set by the local highways authority, which included grass seed and topsoil.

It added that as a direct result of his complaint, a further site visit would be made to check if the seed had taken or further materials were required.

Cllr Warters said in an email to council chief executive Mary Weastell that there needed to be a ‘rapid sea change’ in how the council oversaw works to verges by utility companies.

He said ‘nobody with an ounce of common sense’ would allow reinstatement of verges with soil and grass seed in the middle of winter.

“This results in a mud bath for residents and a weed patch/bare soil for the CYC grass cutting teams when spring arrives,” he said.

“Guidance is clear and the first choice should be to repair excavations with the material dug out, including the turf removed. If that is not feasible, then the hole is filled with imported material and fresh turf laid, if weather conditions don’t allow the laying of turf.”

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said: “Wherever possible we do reinstate verges with the original grass turf. But where this is not possible, we follow legislation set by the Department for Transport which states that grass seed and topsoil can be used to reinstate verges to allow new grass to grow.”

A council spokesman said National Highway Authorities and Utilities Committee guidelines stated that new or existing turf or soil and seed could be used to reinstate verges. This can vary depending on weather and season. The guidelines allow companies a 12 month period to establish reasonable growth.