Residents of Mount Hilary in Ballymena have seen an overgrown hedge cut back after raising the matter with their local representative. The maintenance work was completed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council after concerns were brought to the attention of TUV Bannside Alderman Stewart McDonald.
Prompt response after residents' complaints
Locals reported that the hedge had become unsightly and wanted action taken to tidy the area. Alderman McDonald said he passed the concerns on to council officers, who arranged for the cutting and subsequent clean-up to be carried out.
“I want to place on record my sincere thanks to council staff for the speed with which they acted after I raised concerns about the overgrown hedge at Mount Hilary.”
In comments following completion of the work, the alderman highlighted the improvement to the street’s appearance and commended the workforce for their efficiency. He also thanked the residents who reported the issue and kept him updated.
Local co‑operation credited
The episode was framed by the councillor as an example of effective communication between the public, an elected representative and council services. He said it was important to recognise examples of good public service as well as to identify problems when they arise.
- Who raised the issue: Local residents in Mount Hilary
- Representative involved: Alderman Stewart McDonald (TUV Bannside)
- Action taken: Hedge cut and area tidied by council workers
- Result: Improved appearance of the area and acknowledgement of council staff
The council has not been quoted directly in the information provided, but Alderman McDonald wrote to record his appreciation of the staff who carried out the task and the residents who brought the matter to his attention.
| Issue | Response |
|---|---|
| Overgrown hedge | Trimmed and area tidied |
| Who raised concern | Local residents |
| Representative | Alderman Stewart McDonald |
For residents concerned about similar issues, the usual route is to contact their district councillor or the council’s environmental or neighbourhood services team, who co‑ordinate routine maintenance and can advise on responsibility where hedges border private property.
While this was a relatively small piece of local maintenance, it illustrates how routine reports from the public can lead to a swift response when followed up by elected representatives and operational staff.
