The Alliance Party has hit out at the Minister for Infrastructure for failing to discuss the lack of grass cutting across Belfast.

Alliance Group Leader at Belfast City Hall, Councillor Michael Long, called for an urgent meeting to be arranged, however Minister Chris Hazzard has failed to address the matter after five weeks.

Cllr Long described the situation as "unacceptable".

He said: "We asked for an urgent meeting to discuss our concerns and to seek solutions over a month ago and we still have no date set. Given that these meetings tend to be made several weeks in advance, it is likely that the summer will be over before any meeting takes place.

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" I understand that the new Minister has been left in a difficult position by the previously UUP Minister's decision to reduce the number of cuts but his response to date has been inadequate.

"We need sustainable solutions so that our city does not look in such a poor state for both tourists and potential investors. I believe that we can achieve this by targeting resources on key areas, by developing more environmentally solutions such as planting out areas with wild flowers, by getting private sector sponsorship and by possibly even getting the Council to bear some of the costs.

"As a former Councillor in Castlereagh, the maintenance of green areas was always a source of pride, but now areas like the dual carriageway are an eyesore and the contrast with the areas taken over by Lisburn has left a particularly sour taste."

(CD)