RESIDENTS of Upton Close in Henley have seen “grass-crete” laid in front of their homes in a bid to tidy the area and create more parking spaces.

Contractors working for Oxfordshire County Council completed the work last week and cars are already being parked on the former grass verge. The entire length of the verge furthest from Reading Road has been levelled and covered in the material dubbed the “green” way to eliminate kerb edges. Only a bench has been left intact.

Grass seed has been scattered in the holes in the concrete, which can withstand up to 40 tonnes. The council says the work will allow additional parking while “retaining the green nature of the verge”. Town and county councillor David Nimmo Smith said: “It is looking a bit bald at present but once the grass starts to grow through the gaps in the grass-crete it will take on a different character.

“It will improve the visual aspect of this part of the Reading Road approach into the town and provide better-quality parking than before.” Residents have complained about the work.

Tricia Clements, whose home overlooks the verge, said: “I do not believe we are going to benefit from this at all. They probably think that they are doing us a really good turn by creating more parking but they have not looked into it enough.”

Published 22/02/13