MEMBERS of the Welwyn Hatfield jury have spoken – you want something done to protect our grass verges.

Readers have been contacting our newsdesk in their droves since our story in the Welwyn Hatfield Times earlier this month about a dispute between the county and borough councils.

The two authorities were at loggerheads over how best to deal with the problems of vehicles parking on footpaths and grass verges.

And the overwhelming majority of WHT readers agree with borough and county councillor Malcolm Cowan’s stance – that bringing in rules to fine motorists for churning up verges is a “heaven sent opportunity” to get control of the problem.

One reader, B Tutton, emailed in to say: “I wholeheartedly agree with Cllr Cowan. It is time something is done about parking on grass verges.

“It not only destroys the landscape but in many cases makes the front of people’s homes look a complete mess.”

Alan Staples added: “If no action is taken, then our town will no longer remain the vision of Ebenezer Howard.”

Edward Glock, of Thistle Grove, WGC, said: “All drivers should be fined for parking on pavements and grass verges and should be made to pay for the repair.”

And many readers pointed out that, rather than just target residents, the council should also look a little closer to home when considering the problem.

Shirley Shaw of Brockett Close, WGC, said: “Perhaps Welwyn Hatfield Council should begin by stopping Serco from parking on verges – a not infrequent sight.”

And Ben Walsh added: “Hardly a day goes by that I fail to see some kind of vehicle parked up on ‘council business’ with either two or four wheels off the road.

“Traffic surveys, maintenance vehicles, or a wide range of outsourced services all treat our paths and verges as parking places while carrying out council duties.”

** Where are the worst areas? We want to hear from you – comment below.