I’M WONDERING if Newport City Council have plans to rename our estate “Bettws Wetlands” as it’s what the grassed areas are resembling at present. We are seeing vast swathes of grass and wild weeds standing around five feet tall in many places, more worrying again are the school access lanes and pathways  that parents with small children have to manoeuvre toddlers and pushchairs through, thick brambles and stingy nettles abound as they skirt the vulnerable faces of the children in pushchairs in particular. On top of this I don’t think I’ve ever seen the streets looking so litter strewn, we have created the group “Pride in Bettws” which was inspired by the brilliant work of Paul Murphy and the “Pride in Pill” team, which relies on volunteers litter picking the worst areas, this probably pleases NCC very much in these times of austerity but now I’m wondering if there’s someone sat in an office hoping we form a new group “Scythe in Bettws” whereby volunteers cut the grass for them as well. Don’t even start me on the state of the cemeteries! 

Councillor Kevin Whitehead 
Bettws Ward Councillor
Bettws
Newport