1.How many times per year do you mow your rural road verges, and when?
Details of our grass cutting frequency are available on the Devon County Council website.
2. How many times per year do you mow your urban road verges, and when?
Details of our grass cutting frequency are available on the Devon County Council website.
3. Do you manage any areas of your road verges for conservation/wildlife specifically, and can you outline the management regime in place if so?
Over many decades Devon County Council has operated a ‘Special Verges’ policy and taken account of more general wildlife interests in its management of roadside verges. As a result of budgetary reductions linked to public finance constraints, there has been an increasing reliance on community engagement in the wildlife management of roadside verges. Relevant detail is provided on the Devon County Council website
4. Have you consulted with an ecologist or an NGO on how best to manage your road verges?
Devon County Council in-house ecological specialists liaise routinely with highways staff in relation to the way in which wildlife interests are addressed through verge maintenance. In addition, independent ecological contractors are commissioned at times to undertake field surveys, and there is occasional liaison with other ecologists (e.g. in other local authorities), partner organisations (such as AONB Units), NGOs and community groups in relation to roadside verge management.
5. Have you altered your verge cutting regime/budget significantly in the last five years? How?
No significant changes have been made in the last five years.