Drivers in Carmarthenshire are being reminded to take care as the county’s 6,000km of grass verges get their annual trim.
Carmarthenshire County Council has a statutory duty to maintain the highway in a safe condition for motorists and pedestrians. Generally, this means one cut a year, with a second trim in early September, where weather and growing conditions demand it.
Head of street scene David Hughes said: “The maintenance of road verges is an important service provided by the council.
“In the interests of safety, vegetation on verges is kept trimmed to avoid obscuring of signs and visibility splays.
“It is unavoidable, however, that on some stretches of minor roads, the growth of verge vegetation will occasionally reduce visibility, and so we would advise motorists to drive carefully.”
The importance the green verges as a rich and varied wildlife habitat – offering shelter, a supply of food and corridors along which wildlife can travel – is also considered by the council.
Mr Hughes added: “The cutting of some verges may be delayed in the interests of conservation as long as highway safety is not jeopardised. Designated nature reserves where clearly identified and marked will not be cut.”
