How Verges are Maintained
The cutting of road verges is divided into:
- Rural – for roads with speed limits above 30 mph. These are maintained by the Cormac highways team
- Urban areas – for roads with speed limits under 30 mph, are maintained by the Cormac environmental team
Both are carried out in line with Cornwall Council’s service standards, and with the same approach to safety and biodiversity.
Maintenance is undertaken by our service provider, Cormac Solutions Ltd. In some towns the management has transferred to the town or parish council – for example St. Austell, Bude and Padstow. They may use local contractors. Cornwall Council remain the highway authority with the legal responsibility for looking after the road network and open spaces. Cormac also have contracts with private landowners and organisations such as schools and housing associations. These works are paid for and managed by the landowner.
How often Different Areas are Cut
|
Type of area |
Typical mowing frequency |
|---|---|
|
Formal parks |
Up to 30 times a year |
|
Playing fields, open spaces |
Up to 8 times year |
|
Cemeteries |
Up to 8 times year |
|
Closed churchyards |
Up to 3 times a year (although variable) |
|
Wildflower meadows |
Specialist cutting after flowering/ seeding |
|
Urban verges |
This is variable depending on the amount of flora and location |
Litter
Litter picks are carried out prior to each grass cut to prevent further dispersal. Local groups such as Clean Cornwall and Keep Britain Tidy organise a number of events and campaigns across Cornwall to keep neighbourhoods and our county clean.
If you would like to take part in litter picks or find out more please go to the Clean Cornwall website or visit Keep Britain Tidy where you can get involved. To report any litter that needs clearing or to tell us what you think about Cornwall’s rubbish please visit the Cornwall Council Litter page.
Maintenance of the Verges Outside your House
Cormac are working with volunteers and friends’ groups who are helping to maintain their local green spaces. We are very keen to support these initiatives. However, we need to make sure that everyone is working safely and is suitably insured when working on council-owned land. If you want to get together with friends or neighbours to help maintain an area of green space then we would love to hear from you. Please email: customerrelations@cormacltd.co.uk.
Unfortunately, we can’t give permission for the public to work on Council land without the proper agreements in place.
Obstructions to Pavements or Paths
If vegetation from a private garden is overhanging or blocking a road or pavement please see our verge maintenance page.
Cornwall Council have the authority to ensure that landowners cut back vegetation to keep roads and pavements clear.
Further information
If you have any enquiries about the maintenance of verges in your area, please email us.
