Here's why Wiltshire Council are leaving some grassy areas uncut
Local authority makes changes to grass cutting policy
Last updated 8th Jul 2021
You may have seen some grassy areas and verges left unkept in the county, that's because Wiltshire Council are allowing wildflowers to grow.
The recent wet weather and warm spells is the perfect condition for them to begin their wildflower trials.
A change to the Council's approach to grass cutting will keep highways safe, while at the same time allowing wildflowers to grow.
On rural highways, the council started cutting visibility splays on junctions and some bends, along with some of the particularly narrow lanes in the middle of May.
The remaining verges will be left uncut until September, which enables wildflowers to set seed and spread more widely in the verge.
A new "cut and collect" scheme is currently being piloted on the A350 to encourage wildflower growth.
Collecting the grass means less nutrients go back into the soil, and this creates conditions that encourage the growth of wildflowers.
In urban areas, general grass areas are cut monthly from March-October, while in some amenity areas the council undertakes an environmental cut once in March, July and September.
It is also currently running wildflower trials in amenity areas, also on a 'cut and collect' basis.
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Highways and Street Scene, said:
"We know that grass cutting is very important to the people of Wiltshire, and we regularly receive correspondence on the subject.
"This usually falls into three categories: people who are concerned about road safety issues caused by tall grass growth; people who want us to cut more as they see growth as untidy; and people who want us to cut less to allow wildflowers to grow.
"Balancing these viewpoints can be challenging, but through a range of measures and management techniques depending on the area, we are working to ensure we find the right balance between safety, tidiness and allowing wildflowers to flourish.
"Our grass cutting approach has been designed to provide a good balance to keep our green spaces safe and tidy, while at the same time giving wildflowers an opportunity to thrive. We also regularly review our grounds maintenance to make improvements, acting on feedback from our local communities about their area."