A LOCAL authority has been forced to make changes to its grass-cutting service after a number of complaints from residents.

Darlington Borough Council is introducing a new system following dissatisfaction over the cutting of grass verges on highways.

One of the main complaints concerned the amount of grass that was distributed on footpaths during grass-cutting and the length of grass during heavy growth periods.

A review of the grass cutting service has now been carried out to try to improve its efficiency.

Council officers are recommending that the grass is cut on a two-week cycle, irrespective of any operational problems.

If this cycle is achieved, the council says, staff would be able to manage areas more effectively, resulting in less grass bring distributed on paths and verges.

At the moment, there are four council grass-cutting teams in Darlington. It is intended to create a new team using existing resources, to focus on sheltered housing schemes and support the four other teams as required.

It is also intended to start grass-cutting operations in March to ensure that a full cut is achieved before the Easter holidays.