I WAS shocked to read that the Cheshire East Local Access Forum is threatening households not to put bollards, stones, chain fences etc on grass verges outside their homes.

The reason that residents do this is to stop vehicles driving over and parking on the verges.

When motorists do this the grass verges are cut to ribbons and damaged. This results in the verges being rutted. The ruts fill with water when it rains.

When the verges get cut up the council does not repair them and the residents have to put up with the unsightly grass verges outside their home day in, day out, which also has the consequence of de-valuing their home.

It is no wonder that householders take action to protect the verges in front of their homes.

Bollards are sometimes erected in verges, outside houses, near junctions, to stop vehicles parking too near the junction and causing a road-safety hazard.

Instead of coming all heavy handed and threatening householders with court action, the council should carry out their duty as the highway authority and ensure that grass verges are kept mown and not cut to pieces by vehicles.

I would call on householders to put more bollards, stones, chain fences etc in the grass verges outside their homes. They are carrying out a public service in so doing.

The council should not be trying Big Brother tactics to stop residents with a bit of initiative.

These residents should be congratulated and praised, not threatened with legal action.

Cllr Brian Silvester Ukip councillor