Looking after vegetation on road verges
How you can help
In many areas there are highway verges in front of
private homes and properties. Sometimes these verges are planted
with low shrubs or hedges but most often they are grass verges.
We often receive enquiries from residents asking if they
can cut these grass verges or look after the shrub beds
- here's how you can help.
Grass cutting
In most situations we encourage residents to cut
the grass more often than we'd do it - which you can see in
our
annual maintenance plan (PDF, 88k).
Grass cuttings can be left evenly spread over the mown verge or
disposed of with your lawn cuttings. Please do not pile them on
the verge or leave them where they can block gullies or
ditches.
Shrubs and hedges
If you want to cut back shrubs and hedges please be aware
that there may be birds nesting in them between February and
September. It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981 to disturb the nests of wild birds so you should check the
areas you plan to cut beforehand.
Again, please dispose of cuttings appropriately and do not pile
cut material on grass verges or block gullies or ditches.
Using hand shears saves energy, reduces emissions and keeps
noise down.
Weeds
We treat weeds found in
pavements and kerbs with weedkiller once a year. The weedkiller
we use may remain in the plant system for 6 weeks or more
so you should not put sprayed weeds into your compost or into
your local authority’s green waste collection.
Pulling or hoeing young weeds would save us using
weedkiller. It is best to wear gloves when touching any plant
you are unfamiliar with in case you have a reaction to the sap or
prickles.
Recycling
Wherever possible please recycle green
waste unless it has been sprayed with weedkiller as mentioned
above.
Planting
If you would like to plant bulbs or shrubs into highway
verges, contact us first to let us know which plants you
are considering.
Bulbs such as daffodils and crocus often work well in verges but
we want to make sure they aren't cut at the wrong time by
us.
Low growing shrubs keep roads and drives visible but even these
will need to be cut back
at times and will require weeding.
Tree planting
New trees are sometimes planted in highway verges. You can help
by watering the new
trees during dry weather. A couple of pints of water a day will
make a difference.
If you mow grass verges please be careful when cutting
around trees. Any damage to
the bark will reduce the life of the tree.
Be safe!
When carrying out mowing or cutting on a highway verge, be
careful not to step into traffic
on the road and be aware of pedestrians on pavements.
Also don’t put your hands into vegetation. There might be sharp
objects which you cannot see. Wearing gloves, long trousers, sturdy
shoes and goggles are always a good idea when gardening.
Working on the highway verge can be hazardous and you should be
aware that normal
household insurance may not cover you in the event that damage is
caused to a third
party's property as a result of you working on highway land and you
may wish to consider
taking out additional liability cover.