Wildflower solution to grass verge problem in West Somerset (From This is The West Country)

Wildflower solution to grass verge problem in West Somerset

10:00am Saturday 9th June 2012 in News By Hannah Green

SUPPORT has been received for a district councillor’s plans to solve the problem of uncut grass verges in West Somerset by planting them with wildflower seeds.

Dunster and Timberscombe representative Cllr Alec Chick came up with the idea to reduce maintenance and financial obligations while keeping the area looking good and has already received e-mails from people volunteering to do the work.

The scheme will go ahead at one or more test sites, to be finalised at a meeting between Mr Chick, Tim Evans from MAS Seed Specialists and Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for resources Cllr David Huxtable next Wednesday (June 13).

Mr Chick said: “The support already has been amazing. Savings do have to be made, and cutting verges is not a legal requirement, but people’s quality of life is so important and these sorts of things make a difference.

“The scheme will mean that once it’s established, the need to cut it will fall within the financial resources that we have to once or twice a year.”

Somerset county councillor Harvey Siggs, cabinet member for transformation and highways, said: “We welcome this suggestion from the Dunster and Timberscombe councillors as we would certainly like to take it up. Wouldn’t it be nice if our road verges were an oasis of wildflowers and a haven for butterflies and bees.”

Minehead town councillor Stephen Grice, who has voiced his concern over the state of the town in recent weeks, said: “Where it’s rural verges it makes sense, but in other areas where they were laid and designed as grass verges, we can’t do the same. Some common sense will have to prevail.

“If they can make savings in areas where it enhances it, by the main roads for example, the extra money should enable them to cut and maintain the areas within the town centre properly.”