Grass verges on the roadsides of rural Norfolk could become considerably longer and wilder as the county council prepares to vote on whether to cut them far less frequently to save money.
A vote in favour would see Norfolk follow councils across austerity Britain in looking to cut costs by letting public park and roadside plants grow wild and free. But the move is highly contentious, with environmentalists broadly in favour and motoring organisations strongly against.
In Norfolk, a vote will be taken to reduce the number of times the grass is cut on the straight parts of the county’s rural roads from twice a year to once every two years in the future – saving the council £84,000 a year.
Toby Coke, chairman of the council’s environment, development and transport committee, said: “It would not apply to junctions, cross-roads, bends and other safety black spots. ”
Britain’s grassland has been depleted in recent decades putting pressure on wildlife, including flowers, bees and butterflies. Paul Wilkinson of the Wildlife Trusts said: “It could perform a vital function by providing habitat for wildlife.” But Paul Watters of the AA said leaving verges uncut left them “unkempt” and could obscure road signs.
