Sir, – It was disappointing to read the report in last week’s D&S regarding North Yorkshire County Council’s refusal to maintain the grass roadside verges so as to ensure the safety of the public.

It was not so much this refusal to take responsibility for their own property, it was the patronising attitude of these salaried local politicians to the hundreds of volunteer parish and town councillors across the county.

Our parish straddles the coast-to-coast walk which is enjoyed by more than 10,000 walkers every year, mainly between the months of May and September. The walk follows some miles of bendy narrow road which have no footpaths and the only place of refuge for the walkers is the verge which is now predominantly inaccessible.

The parish council has drawn this safety issue to the county council’s attention.

Its only response was to say there would be a review in October which of course will be too late.

It is rather glib for county councillors to say that passing over their responsibilities to other organisations without any prior discussion, consultation or compensation is localism. The main issues regarding anyone other than the county council maintaining the verges is not cost as stated in your report it is liability.

If anyone is injured while cutting a verge, will the county council compensate them?

Here I speak from experience having broken my foot cutting a verge in 2009; I was advised not to waste my time claiming from the county council. If when the vegetation is cut down it causes pedestrians or cars to slip, slide or skid and results in injuries or death, who will be liable – the person who cut the grass or the county?

Until the county council faces up to these issues and its own responsibilities it will be running the risk of causing a serious accident.

GEOFF SOLOMON Danby Wiske, Northallerton.