www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Streetscene Fact Sheet
Grass Cutting and Grounds Maintenance
Who is responsible?
The County Council is responsible for the cutting of grass on verges adjacent to rural roads that are maintained by us as Highway Authority. Grass verges adjacent to Urban Roads that are maintained by us are cut, on our behalf, by the District Council in your area.
The District Councils are responsible for the grounds maintenance operations on council-owned land within the towns and districts.
The councils are not responsible for grass cutting on privately owned land or on properties / estates owned by bodies other than the Councils.
Why do we cut these areas?
Verge maintenance, including grass cutting, is an integral part of highway and Grounds maintenance. Grass cutting is undertaken to:
- maintain visibility for highway users
- prevent traffic signs being obscured
- prevent the growth of trees and shrubs immediately adjacent to the highway
- keep verges passable for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
- help inhibit the seeding and growth of noxious weeds - such as thistles, docks and common ragwort - adjacent to the highway (under Weed Act 1959)
- enhance and maintain the biodiversity of verges - There are 168 wildlife verge sites within the county with specified cutting regimes because of their ecological value
- expose potential hazards - such as debris - which may be hidden in long grass
- maintain the attractiveness, safety, cleanliness and usability of Wiltshire’s Street and lane scene.
What areas are cut?
(Where applicable to different districts)
- Highways
- Verges
- Parks and Open Spaces
- Town Centres
- Memorial Gardens
How often does grass cutting take place?
Grass verges on rural roads are generally cut at least twice a year. The first cut usually starts at the end of May and takes about six weeks, and the second cut usually takes place in October, but the timing and number of these cuts depends on weather and growth.
At junctions and some other locations the visibility splays are cut more often for safety reasons.
In urban areas the grass verges are cut more often for amenity reasons by the District Councils.
If you are in any doubt as to who is responsible for cutting a particular area of grass or maintaining a shrub bed please contact any of the Street Scene partners below:
Kennet District Council 01380 724911
North Wilts District Council 01249 706352
Salisbury District Council 01722 336272
West Wilts District Council 01225 776655
Wiltshire County Council (Clarence) 0800 23 23 23
