Wildlife on many local roadside verges is booming in the current situation, according to Powys County Council.
With 127 Roadside Verge Nature Reserves (RVNR’s) on the county road network Powys roads are seeing an abundance of biodiversity this spring, with the county council keen to do more.
Along with contractors, Powys County Council says it is leading efforts to conserve wildlife inhabiting the roadsides, with a number of current initiatives underway to leave whole sections of verges uncut or with their own individual management plans to benefit the species present.
The council is timing scheduled grass cuts to prolong nesting and breeding seasons in many species of animals and birds, and allowing flowers to set seed and invertebrates, such as butterflies, to complete their life cycles.
Rural grass verge cutting is limited to one cut in June/July and is restricted to a width of 1.2m, with additional cutting only at junctions or if there are visibility issues.
Urban grass verges (highway verges within a 30mph speed limit on county roads) are receiving a safety cut, which is a 1.2m width cut along footpaths and junctions for maintenance and visibility purposes.
Clr Heulwen Hulme, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Maintaining grass verges is a balance between ensuring the safety of road and path users is not compromised and preserving wildlife. However, with careful management, it is possible to do both.
“The urban grass verges are where we are keen to make even more changes to the way they have previously been managed. By working with local groups and community and town councils, we can identify areas that can be left uncut, making improvements year on year on the number of areas designated for conserving biodiversity in the county.”