RESIDENTS in a York suburb are calling for action over grass verges turned into a quagmire by car wheels.

Long-term resident and pensioner, Jean Tattersfield showed York MP Hugh Bayley the state of the grass verges outside her home and her neighbour's home, in Tuke Avenue, Tang Hall.

She claims the damage has been caused by cars parking on the verges and wants something done about it.

Mr Bayley and Mrs Tattersfield were joined by Labour candidates for Hull Road ward, Roger Pierce and Richard Cregan, who shared her concerns.

Coun Andrew Waller, City of York's Council's Liberal Democrat deputy leader, said the ward committee had money to spend on such maintenance, which obviously hadn't happened.

Mrs Tattersfield said: "It's a real mess especially after heavy rain."

"The mud gets everywhere. Something must be done."

Mr Bayley shared her concern.

He said: This sort of local issue demonstrates the value of local government to resolve local problems, which individual residents can't tackle by themselves.

"There are many others in York, such as the shortage of affordable homes, neighbourhood crime, road safety, and schools," he said.

Mr Pierce said the problem of damaged verges was the most frequently mentioned issue across the Hull Road Ward.

He said: "There are a number of solutions which must be explored.

"They include bollarding to prevent vehicles mounting the verge, allowing residents to plant trees on the verges, or hardening the verges with plastic decking. But access must be maintained for emergency services, access to the drains below the verges and for personal safety.

"My experience of local government is that where there's a combined front of persistent residents and ward councillors, then council staff will always find technical solutions and the funding.

"Where there is a will, there's always a way," he said.

Coun Waller said: "I'm glad Mr Bayley has finally woken up to the connection between the level of Government grant and services in York.

"In other areas of the city, there are active proposals through ward committee funding to overcome these sorts of very local issues clearly this had not been happening in Hull Road ward."