Gardener accuses Kirklees Council of vandalism of Liversedge park

Pete Fawcett, who worked for Kirklees Council’s parks department for 32 years, was dismayed when he saw the damage caused to Millbridge Park in Liversedge.

Pictures sent to the Spenborough Guardian show a tractor digging up the park, removing shrubbery which is a haven for wildlife. Photographs taken afterwards show the muddy aftermath.

Mr Fawcett, of Cleckheaton, said he was shocked at the state of the park and added: “This is nothing short of Kirklees-sponsored environmental vandalism.

“This is park is a green lung for the local area and should be enhanced not destroyed. Parks like this are community amenities that are needed now more than ever.”

Mr Fawcett bemoaned the loss of wildlife and habitat and said: “There are two holly trees left which are full of berries. Berries in other parks have all been eaten by now.

“The birds at Millbridge Park have all been frightened off and that’s why there are berries left. And how many hibernating hedgehogs may have been killed by the council’s action?”

Mr Fawcett’s views were echoed by Andrew Gautry, who was the park-keeper at Millbridge for 37 years.

Mr Gautry said the shrubbery and rose bushes dated back to the 1920s and he had “lost count” of the different kinds of birds he had come across over the years.

He recalled bats flying around the holly trees and “clouds of butterflies and bees on the buddleia and rhododendron in summer.”

He said he was “sickened” by the strip-out and added: “I understand the idea is to open up the area and make it less enclosed but that could have been achieved by sympathetic pruning not this wanton vandalism.

“Shame on Kirklees Council. It is short sighted and rash.”

Coun Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for Environment & Highways, said: “The council has carried out works on the overgrown shrub beds this winter.

“This clearance work is in advance of replanting with more herbaceous material ready for the growing season, aimed at attracting bees and insects and increasing biodiversity in the park.

“This work has been carried out in consultation with ward councillors and will result in a more attractive space for local people to enjoy.”