Do you think it's ok for Local Authorities to indiscriminately strim down verges which are in full bloom?

Question

Does your Local Authority come along and whack beautiful areas of grassland and road-side verges down to nothing but a green carpet? How do you feel about the impact on nature/wildlife of such irresponsible actions?

Answer 1

I'd argue they don't manage the verges and grassland indiscriminately. It is a mananaged process. Some local authorities have areas where they don't cut the grass - these areas are always a fire hazard. Nevertheless, they still try to maintain the habitat for the wildlife etc. I'm very pleased to see the verges being maintained. My local authority has planted vast swathes of daffodils in some verges that look glorious in the spring. They always cut the grass around them until they have finished flowering.

Answer 2

How do you feel about being able to see at a junction? Or would you prefer it that there were more car accidents?

Answer 3

Grass cutting is done for safety reasons and in urban areas for ammenity reasons. In Norfolk we have areas identified as road side nature reserves where grass cutting is controlled to promote the growth of rare wild flowers and plants, however even other rural roads are not unless necessary and some wildlife likes the areas of shorter grass with the longer grass adjacent to escape into. As you have said though if the council left it someone would complain so they cant win.

Answer 4

I know the area that you are on about and I think that there was absolutely no need for that section to be mown down. After all it is a rarely used road, and presented absolutely no danger to the public or drivers. I drove along the south bound carriageway of M74 tonight south of Lesmahagow and noted that a 1 metre strip of verge had been mown on both North and South bound carriageways. This strip represented no threat to drivers but given that both sides were at least 7KM long that represents 14000 sq mtrs of lost habitat. I do agree however that there is a need to maintain some verges and the like in the interest of safety but a closer look at the maintenance should be taken rather than cut a swathe for miles when it is not needed

Answer 5

i don't find it irresponsible at all, the fact that you have a local authority doing this suggests that you live in a nice area, i have seen road signs blocked over by over grown trees etc and crashes happen, i was almost in one myself where the sign to indicate a severe turn was compleatly blocked with the result that i had to do an emergency stop to prevent myself and my passengers from ending up on the verge, in the country side if the field is not going to cause any problems or obstructions then yes by all means let the grass grow but not the hedge, that is just plain unsightly and you cant say it is natures way as it is man who plants he hedges in that manner so it is he who has to maintain those hedges which i personally feel are much nicer when they have been cut and shaped