A WAR of words has broken out after a councillor was accused of neglecting her duty to tackle “dangerous weeds” which are reportedly overrunning parts of Thorpe Bay.

Carole Mulroney, Southend councillor responsible for the environment, has threatened to seek legal advice in response to the claims made by Independent Thorpe Bay councillor Ron Woodley.

Mr Woodley - a former council deputy leader who served alongside Ms Mulroney - has accused council departments of failing to keep grass verges and gutters clear of weeds across his ward.

But Ms Mulroney has hit back by stating there isn’t a “shred of evidence” to support the claims.

The row comes weeks after new council leader Stephen George vowed to stop the “toxic atmosphere” between Southend councillors.

Mr Woodley said: “The highways department subs out grass cutting to the parks department who don’t do it regularly enough.

"Then they sub out weed spraying to Veolia who spray the weeds but the parks department have to clear out the stubs which they don’t and it’s causing a hazard.

“You have got to question Carole Mulroney’s credibility for the environment.

“If someone had an accident it could destroy lives. It’s about time they did something about it.”

In an email to Southend Council’s interim chief executive, Andy Lewis, Mr Woodley claims the “whole” of Thorpe Ward was covered in weeds in gutters and footways that are hazardous to pedestrians.

He further claimed the department responsible for keeping public areas today were not doing so in a “timely manner”.

Lib Dem Group leader, Ms Mulroney has rubbished the concerns raised by Mr Woodley, adding fellow Independent Thorpe ward councillor, Martin Terry, was unaware of any issues.

She said: “The parks department has gone out round the ward, also the person in charge of how they do the various works.

“Martin Terry has been out to look and none of them support what Ron is saying.

“His allegations that weeds are danger just isn’t true and I’ve asked for legal advice.

“I’ve asked Ron to give me some information on where and what has happened but I haven’t had a response.

“I would be happy to look at it if I have some evidence.”