The Council’s Environment Service is responsible for the management of a massive 75 hectares of ‘urban verges’ across Cornwall. These are the verges you see inside 30mph zones. Traditionally these would be mown around eight times a year, starting in spring, but our approach has changed to help restore nature, reduce carbon emissions and provide a better quality, healthier environment for Cornish communities.
During Covid 19 grounds maintenance on urban verges was held back, resulting in a large rise in native wildflowers and meadow plants. The flowers attracted pollinators, insects and other wildlife. To retain these benefits so have adopted a new approach to maintaining urban verges:
- The number of times we cut the grass has been reduced to between two and three cuts per year depending on location, where it is safe to do so.
- Cutting will be done after the flowers have finished and seeds are set, which is usually between June and September.
- In certain locations, grass cuttings will be collected by a special mower to reduce fertility and allow meadow plants to establish. It will also help to encourage greater biodiversity in the long term.
The Council will still be:
- ensuring clear lines of visibility on roads, particularly at junctions
- tidying path and pavement edges
- cutting around benches and fixtures
- removing noxious plants
- controlling invasive weeds to prevent their spread
Highway verges outside of the 30mph zone are managed by Cornwall Highways. Cutting at junctions and bends already takes place only for safety and visibility reasons.
How you can help
We are keen to work with volunteer who want to help manage green spaces to encourage wildlife. On urban verges you could help by raking up cuttings and even monitoring plant diversity. If you are interested, just contact us by: customerrelations@cormacltd.co.uk
We do not recommend that residents plant bulbs or wildflowers in the verges near your home as this may affect the maintenance routine.
Further information
Cornwall Council has a range of policies which promote biodiversity and healthier habitats on the sites it is responsible for. In turn, these improve the lives of people.
- Pollinator Action Plan. The plan manages the Councils assets and operations to make sure they are more pollinator friendly
- Environmental Growth Strategy. The aim is to create the space and conditions for more abundant, productive and healthier natural systems