If you are from a parish council and are interested in joining the project, contact Roseanna Burton (EnvironmentTeam@leics.gov.uk ) for more details or to propose new verges to add to the network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we chose any verge in the Parish?
Your chosen verge must be:-
- County Council owned land.
- Minimum 2m width (front to rear), excluding any mown visibility strip by the highway or a shaded area next to a hedge.
- Within the 30/40mph limit.
- Not obstruct any sight lines (i.e. not on a junction or blind bend).
- Preferably not shaded by large trees.
- The bigger the better!
Do we sow with wildflower seeds?
It is generally best to work with nature and manage the verge as it is. Surveys have shown that most verges are surprisingly rich in species and these just need the chance the grow and flower. It is expensive and time-consuming to sow with seeds and not guaranteed to work in the long term. 'Chocolate box' wildflower meadows are unlikely to be sustainable on the nutrient-rich soils that most verges have, but over time most meadow grasslands that are managed correctly will become more species diverse. Remember that for most wildlife, it is the taller vegetation that is important, not how colourful it is.
Who is responsible for the grass cutting?
The responsibility and cost of arranging this cut and removal of cuttings falls to the Parish Council – this cannot be arranged by the County Council. Most Parish Council's employ contractors to do this but a few work with volunteers from the local community.
Why can’t the County Council cut the verge at the end of Summer?
Participating verges are taken out of the mowing schedule, and to avoid confusion the contractors are instructed not to cut the verge at all. Also, as the clippings need removing, the parishes will have more control over it being done within the timescale if they organise the cut themselves.
Should the Parish Council consult with residents and promote the scheme?
Yes! Any property fronting onto the verge needs to be consulted and evidence of this forms part of the agreement with the County Council. More details will be provided to participating parish councils. For general awareness-raising, the fastest form of communication is social media. You can also publish your plans for the verge on your Parish website or Facebook groups. As each verge will be featured on its own 'Wild Place' page on the NatureSpot website you can also use this to explain/promote the project. Through NatureSpot, you can also encourage local residents to get involved by submitting records of their own wildlife observations on the verge. The verge Wild Places can be found on the drop-down menu on the NatureSpot home page.
You can also attach a laminated sign in the vicinity of the verge to inform local people of the PC’s plans and intentions for the verge.
What happens if people don’t support it or complain about the way it looks?
Any complaints need to be dealt with by the Parish Council but hopefully early promotion will fend off any complaints. NatureSpot and the County Council can provide facts to go into your publicity. Whilst some may perceive mown grass as being 'tidy' it is an effective desert for wildlife. We all have a responsibility to manage grasslands more creatively if we are are to address the current biodiversity crisis.
What if it doesn’t ‘take off’ and we don’t have enough interest in the project?
You can contact the County Council to advise them that you no longer want to take part in the scheme. They will instruct their contractors to cut it next time they are in the area. Please note that early consultation with the community is advised so that you gather as much support as possible.
How will the County Council make sure the verge doesn’t get cut by their grass cutting gangs?
Every effort will be made to make sure County Council operatives are aware of the presence of the wildflower verge. They will highlight the areas on maps and the presence of local signs and markers should also be helpful. However, some parish councils have agreements in place with their own mowing contractor so make sure they are made aware if this is the case in your parish.