SENIOR Hyndburn councillors are calling on County Hall bosses to think again over cuts to spending on weed killing.

Oswaldtwistle’s Tory councillor Peter Britcliffe has warned the change will turn parts of the borough into a ‘shanty town’.

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He has written to County Cllr Jenny Mein, leader of Lancashire County Council, demanding the decision to halve the budget for clearing up stray plants on streets be reversed.

Hyndburn Council Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, has backed his political opponent in demanding a rethink before Hyndburn’s town centres become unsightly and overgrown.

Cllr Britcliffe was first alerted to the problems by residents of St Paul’s Court in Oswaldtwistle before noticing similar problems in other borough towns.

He contacted officials at the borough council, which does the weed killing as an agent for the county.

He was told: “The county council has halved the budget they give us for weed killing. Unfortunately, that means there will only be one weed kill this year instead of two, which is scheduled for July.”

Cllr Britcliffe, like Cllr Parkinson a member of both the Hyndburn borough and county councils, tells Cllr Mein: “This is a disgrace. The county has already caused an increase in fly tipping in Hyndburn by increasing tipping charges.

“Now you seem to be creating a situation where there will be weeds all over our streets. Are you deliberately trying to turn this part of Lancashire into a shanty town?

“I know you will cite Government cuts but that is an easy get out. This does not just affect Oswaldtwistle, but other towns including Accrington, Great Harwood, Rishton, Church and Clayton-le-Moors.”

Cllr Parkinson said: “For once I agree with Cllr Britcliffe. This will leave our town centres looking unsightly and messy.

“It is also a false saving, as the weeds could lead to cracks in the pavements which will cost the county more to repair from another budget. Hyndburn is asking for this unwise spending cut to be reconsidered.”

County council deputy leader and finance boss, County Cllr David Borrow, said: “As an authority we are trying to save £200m by 2012 so we are having to make many small savings we would not wish to, including this one."

“If Hyndburn wants us to reverse this reduction, they can always suggest an alternative to allow that.

“Neither Cllr Britcliffe nor Cllr Parkinson voted against our budget proposals earlier this year.”