Giving Waxwell Road its pavement back!

Some jobs are simple, some are satisfying — and then there are the ones that completely transform a space with just a bit of time and elbow grease. That was the case on Waxwell Road this week, where the pavement had slowly been swallowed up by overgrown grass.

At first glance, the path looked narrow, uneven, and messy. But the truth was hiding underneath: the pavement was still there — just buried under months (or years) of creeping turf and compacted soil. All it needed was someone to bring it back to life.

Grass vs. Pavement: The Slow Takeover

Grass has a sneaky way of spreading. Left untrimmed, it grows sideways onto footpaths, gradually:

• Covering slabs

• Creating slippery edges

• Making walkways feel smaller

• Collecting mud, moss, and weeds

Eventually, the pavement disappears entirely, and people end up walking in the road without even realising there should be more space.

Restoring the Path

With a bit of careful edging, scraping, and lifting, I started cutting the grass back to where the original boundary should be. As the line straightened, the pavement suddenly reappeared — wider, cleaner, and much safer to walk on.

You could actually see the difference after every scrape. That’s the kind of job that feels the most rewarding.

A Better, Cleaner Walkway

By the time I finished, the path looked like it had gained a whole new section. What once felt tight and overgrown was now:

• Neat

• Clear

• Safe

• Much more welcoming

It’s amazing how much a simple bit of edging and clearing can change the look and feel of a street.

Why It Matters

Overgrown pavements aren’t just messy — they can cause real problems:

• Slips and trips

• Reduced walking space

• Poor drainage

• Weeds breaking through slabs

A quick tidy can prevent all of that and keep neighbourhoods looking their best. just take a look at the before and after!