A council grass-cutting policy could lead to a residential area being plagued with vermin, it has been claimed.
Residents near the common in Rattray are angry at Perth and Kinross Council’s decision to cut only half of the parkland, leaving other areas overgrown.
One resident says the unkempt area could encourage fly-tipping, which could in turn attract rats and other pests.
The woman, who did not want to be named, said due to the presence of steps, some residents must take their wheelie bins over the grass to leave them for kerbside collection. She fears the length of the grass leaves them at risk of injury.
A council spokeswoman defended the policy, which is a result of spending cuts across Perth and Kinross.
The Rattray resident said: “I’m not the only one the whole row of residents have been on to the council regarding the grass cutting.
“On Tuesday they cut the edges but left a big bit in the middle. It’s absolutely crazy. Why do we pay council tax when only half of it is being done?”
She added: “I think it will become an environmental issue people are going to start dumping things because it looks like waste ground. That could attract rats and things.
“It’s also an issue because we can’t get the bins out. It’s difficult to take them out when you have to trundle them through long grass.
“The bins are heavy as they are only emptied fortnightly. When I was taking mine along I thought my back was going to go. Somebody will end up injuring themselves.”
A spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Regular grass cutting on certain steep bank areas and other selected locations around Rattray Common ceased following a review of grounds maintenance provision.
“This was consulted upon at the time and has been public knowledge since last year.
“The main part of Rattray Common and the rest of the Ferguson Park Estate is still cut fortnightly. We have not found the presence of these areas has resulted in any increase in littering, fly-tipping or vermin.”